Basenji
Owners
Manual
Basenji Owners Manual
First Edition 1986
Second Edition (Revised & Expanded) 1988 • Third Edition (Revised & Expanded) 1990
Fourth Edition (Revised & Expanded) 1992 (reprinted 1994)
Fifth Edition (Revised & Expanded) 1996, 2002
Compiled by the EVERGREEN BASENJI CLUB
Copyright © 1986, 2002 by Evergreen Basenji Club, Inc.
CONTRIBUTIONS by members and friends of the Evergreen Basenji Club.
EDITOR: George Woodard
Additional copies may be ordered and comments and additions for future editions are welcome. Please
send to:
Evergreen Basenji Club
325 S. Washington Ave #213
Kent, WA 98032
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We are concerned for all dogs in general and the welfare of the Basenji in particular. We wish to promote
Responsible Pet Ownership through education and support. When you buy a basenji, or any dog, you are making a
10 to 15 year commitment.
You have taken the best first step by buying your puppy from a responsible breeder. This manual is a collection of
articles designed to give you, the basenji owner, information and guidelines about the breed, its characteristics, care,
and training, as well as information about activities you and your basenji can become involved in.
Raising a puppy to be a valued member of your family is rewarding, but at times can be very challenging and
frustrating. If you have any questions or problems concerning your puppy, his behavior, or training, do not hesitate
to call your breeder or one of the resource persons your breeder has listed.
Resource people to call if you have any questions or problems
________________________________________ _______________________________________
________________________________________ _______________________________________
________________________________________ _______________________________________
________________________________________ ________________________________________
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Your Basenji
Name _____________________________________________
Birth date ______________________
AKC Registration -
__________
(Complete and send to AKC the blue slip provided by your
breeder)
Puppy immunization record
Type & date
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
6 month parvo & rabies ________________________________________
Puppy worming record
Type & date
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Breeder name __________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Puppy diet
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
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Contents
ABOUT YOUR BASENJI ............................................................................................................. 1
AKC REGISTRATION .................................................................................................................. 1
ANINTRODUCTIONTOTHEBASENJI................................................................................................ 1
CHARACTERISTICBASENJIBEHAVIOR ............................................................................................ 2
BASENJI STANDARD .................................................................................................................. 4
LIVING WITH A BASENJI.......................................................................................................... 5
SOCIALIZATION .......................................................................................................................... 5
DISCIPLINE................................................................................................................................... 7
SUPER DOG" REVIEW................................................................................................................. 8
CRATE TRAINING ..................................................................................................................... 10
HOUSE TRAINING ..................................................................................................................... 11
BASIC TRAINING....................................................................................................................... 14
A SECURE YARD............................................................................................................................ 17
MICRO CHIPPING ...................................................................................................................... 18
CHEWING ................................................................................................................................... 19
INTRODUCING YOUR NEW BABY TO YOUR BASENJI ...................................................... 20
ARE TWO BASENJIS BETTER THAN ONE? ........................................................................... 21
CARING FOR YOUR BASENJI ............................................................................................... 23
IMMUNIZATIONS/WORMING ................................................................................................. 23
GROOMING ................................................................................................................................ 24
BASENJI HEALTH ...................................................................................................................... 25
CHOOSING A VET...................................................................................................................... 29
FEEDING ..................................................................................................................................... 29
FIRST AID.................................................................................................................................... 31
POISONING ................................................................................................................................. 32
UNDESIRABLE CHEWING AND POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES ........................................... 32
PREVENTIVE BREEDING ......................................................................................................... 34
BASENJI ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................ 36
SHOWING YOUR BASENJI IN CONFORMATION ................................................................. 36
SHOW TRAINING....................................................................................................................... 36
LURE COURSING ....................................................................................................................... 38
OBEDIENCE TRIALS ................................................................................................................. 40
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN ........................................................................................................... 41
JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP .......................................................................................................... 41
ABOUT THE EVERGREEN BASENJI CLUB........................................................................ 43
REFERENCE LIBRARY ............................................................................................................ 45
INDEX ..........................................................................................................................................46
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Notes
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About Your Basenji
AKC REGISTRATION
The American Kennel Club was founded on
September 17, 1884, as an independent, nonprofit
organization devoted to the advancement and welfare
of purebred dogs. AKC is the principal registry
agency for purebred dogs in the United States.
When you buy a dog represented as AKC
registrable, you should receive an AKC dog
Registration Application form properly filled out by
the seller or, a bill of sale listing: the names and
registration numbers of the sire and dam, date of birth,
breeder and seller, with an agreement to provide the
registration paper at a later date. The application,
when completed by you and submitted to AKC with
the proper fee, will enable you to register the dog.
When the application has been processed, you will
receive an AKC Registration Certificate. Other
conditions and agreement of sale should be in writing,
signed by both seller and buyer with a signed copy
provided to the buyer.
There is a widely held belief that "AKC" or "AKC
papers" and quality are one and the same. This is not
the case. AKC is only a registry body. A registration
certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a
known sire and dam, born on a known date. It in no
way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog.
Quality in the sense of "show quality" is determined by many factors including the dog's health,
physical condition, ability to move and appearance.
Breeders breeding show stock are trying to produce
animals that closely resemble the description of perfection described in the breed standard. Many people
breed their dogs with no concern for the qualitative
demands of the breed standard. When this occurs
repeatedly over several generations, the animals, while
still purebred, can be of extremely low quality.
AKC REGISTRATION, NEW ARRIVALS
In the late 1980's several African Basenji dogs were
imported into the United States, 14 of which were
accepted into the AKC registry. Some of these were a
new "Brindle" or tiger-striped color (black stripes over
a red coat). In 1990 the AKC also approved a new
Basenji Standard, which among other things,
recognizes this new coat color (see Basenji Standard
later in this chapter)
This has some historical significance since the
AKC rarely opens its studbook. There is much interesting reading to be found about this event in the
BCOA & periodicals (See Bibliography). The novice
fancier is encouraged to become more informed about
the reasons for, and the processes & discussions surrounding this event.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BASENJI
The dogs of the stone age were small foxy fellows,
who gathered around the first campfires. As ancient
man went from place to place about his business, they
followed at a respectful distance... probably attracted
by occasional handouts, possibly because they felt an
affinity to him. The first dogs, according to paleontologists, were very like basenjis, and there are
scientific reasons for supposing that the Basenji was
this "Canis Palustrus" of prehistoric times.
The Basenji made an appearance in civilization at
the dawn of history. Brought down the Nile as tribute
by people from Central Africa, he was a palace dog of
the pharaohs so long ago that he watched the pyramids
being built. Pictured in bas-relief and sculptured in
stone as far back as 4000 BC, the Basenji is shown
both as a hunter and as a favored house pet lying under
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the pharaoh's chair. He was found in Mesopotamia
many centuries later. The Metropolitan Museum of
Art owns a bronze statue of a man and a Basenji-like
dog, including curled tail and wrinkled forehead. This
is identified as Babylonian, 1500 BC. Ancient
empires, crumbling, disappeared along with the
Basenji, and without a trace. Only as recently as the
latter half of the 19th Century was he rediscovered in
his original habitat -- the headwaters of both the Nile
and the Congo -- in the heart of Africa. There,
basenjis are still hunting dogs of native tribes, and so
necessary are they to the Pygmies that a wife can be
purchased for less than a basenji.
English nobility rediscovered these little dogs during their hunting expeditions. For fifty years, the
British made many attempts to bring basenjis to
England, but they were not successfully acclimated
there until 1937. At the same time, a pair was brought
to America.
on the face, full collar, and full white legs. His short
coat is unique in that it has no doggy odor, and he
keeps immaculate without being bathed for months.
The Basenji is happy to fit his mood to those he
loves -- yet he is a proud dog always, not bowing and
scraping. He is a staunch believer in personal and
property rights. The silent hunter is also a silent watch
dog. A sound outside brings him noiselessly to the
door, to await an intruder. He will give the housebreaker a rough time. Owners will testify to his
phenomenal intelligence, his inventiveness, his curiosity, and his clownish sense of humor. He is a quiet,
satisfied dog when desired. Yet no dog enjoys play
more, whether in the home or the field. He will
roughhouse and race. However, when his owner is
ready to call it quits, the little Basenji is content to lie
at the feet of his master just as his forebears did thousands of years ago in the courts of Ancient Egypt, his
wrinkled forehead imparting an anxious expression to
his face -- the look of one who, having known man
from the beginning, is terribly worried about the outcome. Have fun and enjoy your new pet!
CHARACTERISTIC BASENJI BEHAVIOR
Hi, my name is Lady. Being a basenji, the EBC
asked me to write an article about what basenjis are
really like. The first thing you should know is that
each one of us has our own personality. Yet, we share
many unique characteristics.
The Basenji does not bark. This unusual characteristic does not seem too unusual when you remember
that original canines -- wolves, coyotes, and jackals -don't bark, either. Since the Basenji is silent on the
trail, the Congolese, as did the ancients, required him
to wear a hunting bell so they could trail him. Though
he doesn't "BOW-WOW-WOW," the Basenji is not
mute, and can make all the other sounds dogs make:
growls, whines, yips, and howls. He has in addition an
unusual sound called a "yodel!" that he uses when he
is happy.
Sleek short coat, pricked ears, and a curly tail are
Basenji trademarks. Wrinkles appear on the forehead,
giving a questioning look; however, he actually knows
all the answers. An elegant, deer-like little fellow, he
averages 16-17 inches in height at the shoulders and
21 to 25 pounds in weight. Color-coded red, black,
black with tan trimming (tricolor) or brindle, he
always has white on the feet, chest, and tail tip. Some
have more white than others, sometimes with a blaze
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You may have read the story about when God
created all the animals he had a little piece of each one
left over so he put all these pieces in one package and
called it a Basenji. That is why at times we have
qualities of the dog, cat, fox, deer, horse, mule,
gazelle, kangaroo, and unicorn (oh, but you wouldn't
know about that one), and any other animal you can
think of.
Most of us are pretty smart, although not in the way
some humans appreciate. Our unique combination of
intelligence & independence makes us a challenge to
live with on occasion. When we see an opportunity,
we will take advantage of it.
We are known as both sight and scent hounds;
however, we can be selectively hard of hearing and
blind! We sometimes love to ignore being called.
Some of my favorite pastimes are napping by the
heat vent or in front of the fire. Licking my human dry
after her bath. I love to roll in hair (preferably freshly
shampooed). My greeting to many guests is to climb
up beside them and roll in their hair -kind of unnerving
to some people.
I like to sing & yodel & dance when my favorite
humans visit the house. Raiding the wastebasket,
Shredding Kleenex or unrolling TP down the hall.
Rolling on a wet towel or shredded Kleenex. Q-tips
are my favorite popsicle! However, a pair of underwear will do nicely for dessert. I like to use my paws
to explore & play or to clean my face when dirty.
I love to run free and chase rabbits, squirrels and
birds out of my yard, and occasionally, I catch a few.
I like to do my crazy dog routine - this is where I
race through the house at full speed, bouncing off the
couch, flying off the walls, and across the bed in a big
loop over and over until I get tired. Then I will stop,
panting with a big smile on my face. "Going on a
tear" at the end of my leash, around and around until I
fly off the ground.
Cleaning up under the high chair after my kid eats.
I clean up under birdcages persistently. Seed shells are
almost as good as the actual seeds.
It isn't unusual for me to take an interest in other
animals' poop, possibly rolling in it or sampling a
taste. I love to nibble rabbit droppings, perhaps in lieu
of the actual rabbit, but I hear they say that rabbits can
pass parasites to me.
Baby diapers. Oooh do I love baby diapers!!
I heard someone say basenjis like to sleep on the
foot of the bed. HA! -I prefer under the covers. If
that's not possible, then up by the head of my human.
When my master or mistress grabs a quilt or afghan or
comfy throw, I run to get under too.
I love to snuggle and be scratched and I am happiest where the action is.
I like to check out the window to see what the
weather is like before I go outside in the morning. If
it's raining, I'd rather wait hours than to venture out
and get my feet wet. I resemble a ballet dancer when
in wet grass, yet a few of my kin actually like to swim.
Snow can be fun though.
Although I don't normally bark, I can make a wide
variety of noises from cute little yodels to loud
screams and howls. I can even sound like a little kid
crying & screaming. Sometimes my human and
neighbors are not very happy with my noisemaking.
And do I love to chew! (see chewing section page 20).
Some of my kin have masters who don't permit
some of these antics. They hide waste paper baskets
and close doors. They have taught my kin to stay off
the furniture and to sleep in dog beds or a den at night.
Now that you know me a little better, I hope you'll
find my antics endlessly amusing. I try to be
entertaining.
...Love, Lady.
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BASENJI STANDARD
(AKC approved 1990)
General Appearance - The Basenji is a small,
short haired hunting dog from Africa. It is short
backed and lightly built, appearing high on the leg
compared to its length. The wrinkled head is
proudly carried on a well arched neck and the tail
is set high and curled. Elegant and graceful, the
whole demeanor is one of poise and inquiring
alertness.
The balanced structure and the
smooth musculature enables it to move with ease
and agility. The Basenji hunts by both sight and
scent. Characteristics - The Basenji should not
bark but is not mute. The wrinkled forehead,
tightly curled tail and swift, effortless gait
(resembling a racehorse trotting full out) are
typical of the breed. Faults - Any departure from
the following points must be considered a fault,
and the seriousness with which the fault is
regarded is to be in exact proportion to its degree.
Size Proportion, Substance - Ideal height for
dogs is 17 inches and bitches 16 inches. Dogs
17 inches and bitches 16 inches from front of
chest to point of buttocks. Approximate weight
for dogs, 24 pounds, and bitches 22 pounds.
Lightly built within this height to weight ratio.
Head - The head is proudly carried. Eyes - Dark
hazel to dark brown, almond shaped, obliquely
set and farseeing, rims dark. Ears - Small, erect
and slightly hooded, of fine texture and set well
forward on top of head. The skull is flat, well
chiseled and of medium width, tapering toward
the eyes. The foreface tapers from eye to muzzle
with a perceptible stop. Muzzle shorter than skull,
neither coarse nor snipy, but with rounded
cushions. Wrinkles appear upon the forehead
when ears are erect, and are fine and profuse.
Side wrinkles are desirable, but should never be
exaggerated into dewlap. Wrinkles are most
noticeable in puppies, and because of lack of
shadowing, less noticeable in blacks, tricolors and
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brindles. Nose - Black greatly desired. Teeth Evenly aligned with a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body - Neck of good length, well
crested and slightly full at base of throat, well set
into shoulders. Topline - Back level. Body Balanced with a short back, short coupled and
ending in a definite waist. Ribs moderately
sprung, deep to elbows and oval. Slight forechest
in front of point of shoulder. Chest of medium
width. Tail is set high on topline, bends acutely
forward and lies well curled over either side.
Forequarters - Shoulders moderately laid back.
Shoulder blade and upper arm of approximately
equal length.
Elbows tucked firmly against
brisket. Legs straight with clean fine bone, long
forearm and well-defined sinews. Pasterns of
good length, strong and flexible, Feet - Small,
oval and compact with thick pads and well arched
toes. Dewclaws are usually removed.
Hindquarters - Medium width, strong and muscular, hocks well let down and turned neither in nor
out, with long second thighs and moderately bent
stifles. Feet - Same as in "Forequarters".
Coat and Color - Coat short and fine. Skin very
pliant. Color - Chestnut red; pure black; tricolor
(pure black and chestnut red); or brindle (black
stripes on a background of chestnut red); all with
white feet, amount of white should never predominate over primary color. Color and markings
should be rich, clear and well-defined, with a
distinct line of demarcation between the black and
red of tricolors and the stripes on brindles.
Gait - Swift, tireless trot. Stride is long, smooth,
effortless and the topline remains level. Coming
and going, the straight column of bones from
shoulder joint to foot and from hip joint to pad
remains unbroken, converging toward the
centerline under the body. The faster the trot, the
greater the convergence.
Temperament - An intelligent, independent, but
affectionate and alert breed. Can be aloof with
strangers.
Living With a Basenji
SOCIALIZATION
Acquainting your pup with new
situations: A young pup is continually learning
about his new environment. Every situation in which
he is placed, every person he meets, every pleasant or
unpleasant incident in his early life can have a long
lasting effect on him.
reinforce his shyness. Encourage him to overcome
shyness by going forward, not retreating. Praise and
treat him for going forward and making progress.
With your supervision, encourage him to explore
his new home. Then take him to your friends' homes.
The sooner he checks everything out, the more comfortable he will be. Encourage him to investigate new
objects and praise him when he does. However, make
sure his first experience isn't frightening. Do not give
the puppy the run of the house.
Don't use isolation as a form of discipline. Puppies
should be trained to be comfortable when alone.
Dogs must be handled by people at an early age if
they are to develop into good companions. Dogs that
are uncomfortable with humans are difficult to train,
often develop into fear biters, adapt poorly with children and may frequently run away. Puppies who have
very little early human contact can grow to be
extremely shy dogs. Bringing a shy dog out is a difficult, painstaking process that isn't always successful.
Expose your puppy to various types of people, i.e.,
boys, girls, men, women, youngsters and oldsters.
Expose him to as many new situations as possible,
but take care he has a good experience.
Expose your puppy to new terrain (stairs, tall grass,
loose sand, gravel, small obstacles, etc.) Always start
with a simple problem and gradually make it more
difficult, but do not exceed the pup's abilities. Make
sure the pup succeeds in the tasks.
Get him used to being in crowds or places where
there is a lot of activity. Don't hesitate to use a special
treat to distract him.
Accustom your puppy to riding in the car by going
for short rides.
Guard against isolating your pup for prolonged
periods of time. Digging, chewing and scratching
often occur because the pup is kept by himself. Puppies are social animals and need social contact for
proper development.
If your pup tends to be somewhat shy, make sure
any discipline is not excessive. However, it is very
important not to baby a shy pup, as this will only
It isn't necessary to introduce your new pup to
everything the first several days. Do it gradually so
that he is not overwhelmed. As he learns about new
sounds and situations, he will discover that they really
won't harm him and will become comfortable when he
meets them again.
How to remain the "leader of the pack"
Your basenji, along with
all other canines, is a social
pack animal.
As young
puppies, littermates begin
interacting socially with each
other, exhibiting "pushy" or
dominant behavior. After
repeated playful fighting, the
pups learn when to act pushy
and when to back down.
Although capable of both
behaviors, your pup's natural
tendency is to go as far as possible within his social
order--to push his way into a leadership position. It is
this tendency you must control early if you want to
raise a good family pet. Your puppy will attempt to
interact with people just as he did with his littermates.
In such interaction or play, you and other family
members should assume a leadership role and
discourage pushy behavior in the pup.
Recognizing dominant and submissive behavior:
Dominant signals and behavior include hackles up,
standing up straight and erect during greeting, curling
lips to expose teeth, mounting behavior, prolonged
direct eye contact, nipping your skin or clothing, or
mouthing your hands, resistance to the removal of
possessed objects, stealing food in your presence, or
snarling and/or growling at people.
Subordinate signals include ears back, head lowered, body lowered and tail down and wagging
5
Never allow your puppy to nip or mouth you, even
in play. Let the puppy know with the muzzle or neck
scruff correction that this behavior is not allowed.
(See article on Discipline.)
Being the leader does not mean that you need to be
cruel or beat your dog into minding. Your basenji is
not dumb. You must earn his respect by becoming a
fair, just, and consistent leader.
The following exercises will help you teach your
puppy that you are in control of him physically. The
pup doesn't learn about social relationships through
some intellectual process, but on a physical level. He
must learn that you have the power to handle him and
that handling doesn't lead to physical harm. Then he
can trust you and at the same time is your subordinate.
While seated on the floor, pick up the pup with
both hands by holding him underneath his shoulder
area so that he is facing you. Hold him at arm's length
and look directly into his eye. Do not be the first to
look away. If he struggles, follow with a raised voice
and quick shake. When he is quiet, talk to him in a
soft, pleasant voice. Continue your eye contact.
Maintain this position for 30 to 90 seconds (vary
time). Repeat this exercise until he no longer struggles.
vigorously during greeting; lying on side while exposing groin region, ears back and tail tucked under
(usually occurs during times of high social tension
such as a discipline situation); licking hands or face.
The following are guidelines to insure that you and
other family members assume and retain the leadership relationship with your dog. Beginning at an early
age will insure that your puppy will learn appropriate
behavior quickly and will help eliminate problem
behavior later on.
Immediately discourage your pup's pushy behavior
toward you or others. Use only enough unpleasant
discipline to get the job done. Then follow with plenty
of praise.
Be consistent. Each and every time the pup
displays one of the dominant or pushy signals, you or
any other family member should follow through with
discipline.
Don't unconsciously encourage him to act pushy.
Never roughhouse so that he thinks he's won (or
dominated you).
Never chase your dog (Leaders don't chase).
Never discipline your puppy for misbehavior unless
you catch him in the act. Use only enough discipline
to make him immediately stop what he's doing, then
praise him for stopping.
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Place the pup on his side on the floor, using one
hand to hold him by the neck scruff and stroke his
tummy with the other. Talk to him in a soft, pleasant
voice when he is quiet. Do not allow him to struggle,
nip or mouth your hands. If he tries, raise your voice
and shake him firmly by the scruff of the neck, as his
mother would do. Praise him lavishly when he stops.
When he's quiet, place your fingers around his
muzzle, open his mouth, handle his feet, etc. Praise
him for tolerating the handling.
These exercises should be performed regularly
during early development and can be started when you
first meet the puppy. The more dominant the behavior
your puppy demonstrates, the more you should
emphasize these exercises.
As your basenji goes through the juvenile stage and
moves toward maturity, he may again periodically test
your leadership. Most pack members are subordinate.
You will not "break his spirit" or inhibit his
development into a normal, healthy basenji. Rather,
you are giving him a defined position in your family,
behavior guidelines to follow, and a sense of trust in
you, his leader.
DISCIPLINE
Teaching your puppy right from wrong is an
important aspect of raising a basenji. People often
mistakenly assume that a dog learns about his world
much like a child would. But, in fact, he learns differently than a child. He relies more heavily on his
hearing and smelling abilities, his more pronounced
inherited capabilities and, more important, he does not
have a grammatical language. That is why we cannot
directly communicate with him as we could a child.
We cannot sit down and reason with him and tell him
what we expect of him.
A dog learns by doing. His actions produce specific results. If he finds the results pleasing, he will
tend to repeat the action. If he finds the results
unpleasant, he will tend to not repeat the action that
produced them.
direct your correction as a dare or a question (Noo???).
A loud noise may also work to correct the misbehavior. Try slapping your hand down to make a loud
noise along with a growly NO!! to intimidate your
basenji into stopping the behavior. The next type of
correction is physical. The muzzle correction is done
by firmly grasping his muzzle in your hand (without
squeezing) and telling him in no uncertain terms "No,
Bad Dog." (Here again, try to sound intimidating.)
The neck scruff correction is done by grasping the skin
on the back or side of his neck and giving a firm shake
(but not enough to lift him off the ground) while again
giving the verbal correction.
There are two techniques used to mold your
puppy's behavior which take the above principles into
account. You should become familiar with these and
use them to your best advantage. These techniques are
called Positive Reinforcement and Negative
Reinforcement. Positive Reinforcement is used to
establish behavior that the dog would not ordinarily do
on his own. Negative Reinforcement is used to
discourage behavior that you find unacceptable or
undesirable.
Positive Reinforcement includes exuberant,
enthusiastic praise, food and treats, or play. The time
to use this praise is any time your basenji demonstrates
behavior you want to reinforce. Use lots of praise as
you physically guide him through the behavior, or as
you coax him into the position with food. Also use
lots of praise when he does the desired behavior on his
own.
Examples of when to use Positive Reinforcement
include: any training such as sit, or down; any dog
tricks; teaching your dog to come when called; teaching your dog to stack; going into a crate; relieving
himself in the spot you choose; chewing on his own
toy; any behavior you want to encourage.
Negative Reinforcement can be Verbal or Physical
and should be used to stop any unwanted behavior as
it happens such as: Relieving in the house; chewing on
objects "off limits"; stealing food; jumping up;
aggression; getting on furniture; chasing the cat; any
behavior you wish to discourage.
A Verbal correction should be spoken loud and as
if you really mean it. Try to make a distinction in your
voice between your No!!! and any other conversation
you have with your basenji. In other words, try not to
speak in a monotone (in praise and correction) or
Neck Scruff Correction
These corrections need only last a moment or two.
Your dog won't understand a prolonged lecture about
how bad he is. Following a correction, give your dog
something positive to do so you can praise him. (Be
forgiving.)
Another type of correction used when your dog is
on the leash is the Lead Pop. This is a quick jerk on
the lead which tightens the training collar then is
immediately released to a slack lead. When done correctly you should hear the "pop" of the collar
tightening and pulling on a tight lead. You can use this
correction with the commands, "No Sniff," "Leave It,"
or "No Pulling."
The timing of your praise or correction is important
for your dog to make the connection between his
behavior and your reaction. Reinforcement (positive or
negative) must be during or immediately after the
behavior to have the most impact. Reinforcement must
be used constantly and consistently during the learning
stages. (Even if you have to get up from the couch 10
times in 10 minutes to stop unwanted behavior.) Dogs
learn by repetition. Every time you permit an incor-
7
rect response the dog is learning the incorrect response
or learning that he doesn't always have to obey you.
The amount of reinforcement (positive or negative)
required for each behavior is gradually diminished as
that behavior becomes a conditioned response. The
more consistent you are with your reinforcement, the
quicker this learning takes place.
Another influence on molding your pup's behavior
is Unintentional Training. This takes place when we
think we are teaching the dog one thing, but in reality
we are giving him a very different message.
For example: Puppy makes a mess in the house,
you angrily summon him to you, confront him with the
mess and soundly thrash him for having made the
mess. The next time you call him he runs and hides
behind the couch. The last time he came to you he got
in trouble. Taking this one step further, you should
never call your dog to you and follow his arrival with
anything he perceives as unpleasant. Don't call your
dog to you to cut his nails, or give him a pill, without
some intervening pleasant experience like a treat and
praise.
Roughhousing with your puppy can also lead to
unintentional training because it teaches the puppy to
assert itself against you, not a desirable result at all.
A more subtle form of unintentional training occurs
when we pet the puppy or dog to calm it down from
signs of fear or aggression. In either case, petting or
stroking the dog while using what is intended to be
soothing language such as, "That's all right, you're
okay, good dog," will only serve to reinforce and foster the behavior. Examples include growling and
snapping at other dogs, fear of strangers, and fear of
thunder or firecrackers. A technique recommended for
fear during thunderstorms is to say in an excited voice,
8
"Oh boy! Thunder! Let's go get a Pup Treat" as you
race out to the Cookie Jar to dole out the treats. If your
dog senses no concern from you over that terrible
noise, he will have no reason to be fearful.
"SUPER DOG" REVIEW
This is a review of the system presented in the
series Super dogs are made, not born, by Joyce
O'Kelley, for developing and training puppies from
birth. The series appeared in the January through May
1979 issues of The Basenji.
If you are interested in more information regarding
the concepts the review is based on or more detail in
regards to training procedures, those five issues are
available for $9 from Susan Coe. Also, further discussion of the so called "critical periods" of puppy
development and the factors that contribute to each
puppies individual personalities, can be found in The
art of raising a puppy, by The Monks of New Skete.
Age: Birth through 3 weeks
Environment: Warmth, food, sleep
Human socialization: None
Canine socialization: Needs mother
Age: 4th week
Environment: Unchanged and unchanging
Human socialization: Gentle handling by humans
Canine socialization: Begins socializing with litter
mates
Age: 5th through 7th week
Environment: Introduce household noises and
activities
Human socialization: Continue handling and
allow some visitors. Provide regular attention away
from littermates and mother.
Canine socialization: Begin weaning and feeding
from dish, but allow mother access at other times
for feeding and disciplining.
Training At 5 TO 7 Weeks:
Housebreaking: Paper training begins with area
to be used at reasonable location and well-lined
with newspapers (or litter box).
all other training requires frequent,
regular, individual training sessions.
Lead Training: Fit with buckle collar and attach
short piece of shoe string. String may have to be
replaced from time to time as other pups chew it
off.
Table Training: Place on table and gently
examine and groom the pup (be sure to handle
mouth, feet and testicles).
Fetch:
1. Start with whatever the pup is interested in
(ball, sock, toy).
2. When chasing after object well, introduce
dumbbells (leather, wood, and metal) and cotton gloves.
3. When chasing new items well, encourage the
pup to bring the items back to you.
4. Provide a lot of praise.
5. Always stop with the pup still wanting more.
Age: 8th through 12th week
Environment: Introduce to big, wide world to
see and smell everything. Avoid frightening new or
painful experiences.
Human socialization: Give lots of love and
attention from all types and sizes of people.
Canine socialization: Remove from mother.
Remove from litter mates or provide rotation system into pairs so that the companion of each pup
changes every day.
Training at 8 to 12 weeks:
Housebreaking: Progress to outside housebreaking. Should be able to go all night.
all other training should be daily, individual training
sessions out of sight and sound of litter mates and
mother and other distractions. use positive, constructive approach. Never use "no" command during
training sessions but teach the command and use
substitution.
Substitution:
a) Do not allow unacceptable behavior to be carried through; say "No", substitute a correct
behavior and praise. Some substitutions can
be toy or chewie for chewing whatever; sit for
jumping on people; down position for
climbing on furniture.
b) If more of a correction is required, grasp the
pup's muzzle but do not squeeze, say "No",
substitute and praise.
c) Also praise the pup sometimes when he is just
being good.
d) At about 11 weeks the muzzle correction will
no longer work. At that time switch to the
collar correction - grasp collar, give a small
tug upward (do not lift pup's feet of the floor)
release, substitute and praise.
Lead Training:
1. Carry pup outside and put down, stand still
and follow him about - no tugs, no pulling,
nor force.
2. When confident and moving freely about,
introduce lead control.
a) Very gently give a tug when the pup reaches
the end of the leash. As soon as he stops
tugging or looks around at you, stop tugging
and praise.
b) As he learns to stay within the confines of the
lead without pulling, begin to shorten the lead
by taking up the slack in your hand. Also
maneuver the pup to be walking at your left
side.
c) Praise the pup whenever he is not tugging.
Keep training sessions short.
d) When he is sitting on command on the table
and responding to leash control, put the two
together and begin proper heeling exercises.
Sit, Stand, and Down:
1. Five minute session on grooming table.
a) Have the pup on the table doing your regular
grooming and examination and introduce the sit
- insert your right hand with the palm up into his
collar on top of his neck with the fingers
9
pointing to the tail; put left palm on his
shoulders and slide it along his back, over his
rear and down his legs to the hock where you
gently apply pressure while saying "Sit." He
will sit on your hand. Remove your left hand
and stroke his back gently and give gentle praise
to keep him sitting to the count of 12.
b) Turn collar so the right hand is under the pup's
chin with the palm down. Place your left hand
just behind the right front leg and say "Stand" as
you gently pull forward on the collar and slide
the left hand along his tummy until you reach the
rear legs. Apply gentle pressure to his tummy if
necessary to get him up on his feet. Turn your
left hand over and gently stroke his tummy,
continue quiet praise and keep him standing to
the count of 12.
c) Repeat sequence several times and if he breaks
position at any time, just reposition as before.
d) Over time, increase the count and decrease the
amount of help your hands give.
e) After several days of Sit/Stand, add the Down.
With the pup at your left side, place your left
arm over his shoulders and left hand with palm
side to back of his leg behind his left front leg.
Your right palm goes behind his right front leg,
then caress his legs in an up-and-down motion
while talking softly (soothingly). When he is
mesmerized by the tone of your voice and the
gentle stroking relaxes him to the point of collapse, gently slide his feet out from under him.
(Do not grab his legs with your thumbs and
fingers.) Say in the same voice, "Down". Some
pressure can be applied to his shoulders with
your left arm if necessary. Continue stroking
and talking with him in the down position to the
count of 12.
f) Repeat entire sequence of three exercises,
increasing the count and decreasing your help
until he is doing them on his own.
2 Introduce nail clipping on table.
Come: Introduce "come" by calling frequently
and praising when he responds.
CRATE TRAINING
Any wild canine will secure a small, snugly fitting
space to call its own. This space represents security to
the dog. In its den it cannot be attacked or bothered,
so it is able to relax fully. This instinctive desire for a
secure den is the basis of the psychology behind using
a crate as a training aid. Once the new basenji owner
has overcome his own prejudice against "caging" a pet
and accepted the sound reasoning behind crate train-
10
ing, he and his dog can begin to enjoy the benefits of
the marvelous crate.
Most basenji breeders and longtime owners have
found that a basenji accustomed to having a crate will
seek out the security of his crate when he finds his
world being invaded by too much noise, confusion,
activity, or attention -- or just plain desires a safe,
quiet place to sleep.
For the owner, the crate proves to be an excellent
solution to one of the most trying problems to be
encountered: how to restrain his puppy or dog from
getting into trouble, such as chewing a hole in the new
sofa, sampling that pretty green plant growing on the
window sill, tearing all the paper off that brand new
toilet roll and dragging it all through the house, or
"getting even" for being left home when he wanted to
go along. Finally, travel is much easier with a dog
accustomed to being crated.
1) Traveling is much safer if your dog is accustomed to being crated when traveling in a car. The
chance of an accidental escape is greatly reduced at
rest stops when passengers get out to stretch their legs.
A loose dog in the car may distract the driver or interfere with his ability to drive, possibly resulting in an
accident.
2) Many motel owners are more willing to allow
you to stay with your dog if he has been taught to stay
quietly in his crate.
For most new basenji owners, one of the greatest
concerns is "How do I crate train my puppy?"
The first step is to obtain the proper size crate for
your dog. You need: (1) A crate that is large enough to
allow the grown dog room to stand, turn around, and
stretch out when lying down. (2) Latches on the door
that will not come unfastened when leaned on or
repeatedly bounced against. (3) The crate must allow
for good air circulation, without drafts, and adequate
light.
Place the crate in a quiet area of the home that is
kept warm (not an unheated porch). Excessive noise
or coldness will disturb the otherwise quiet pup. This
crate is far more to the pup than you may realize. It's a
place to sleep undisturbed, and a place of security
when frightened or threatened - a place of his own.
He'll hide his favorite toy from you or a morsel of food
to eat later. The crate is far more than a device to cage
a dog, which many people seem to brand it. The crate
should be made as comfortable as possible for your
pup. Line it with old sheets, blankets, or towels.
Avoid such things as looped nylon carpet or electric
blankets. These have continuous fibers or wire your
dog may tangle himself in. Avoid toxic items such as
rubber backing, or foams which he may swallow.
Avoid wool or other similar fabric that may be hyperallergenic. Pins, buttons, snaps and zippers all should
be removed. Don't place anything in the crate that
may injure the dog. Basenjis like to shred their bedding then rough it up with their feet.
Your puppy may already have been introduced to
his crate by his breeder. He will probably already
have taken his naps and slept in it at night. For the
new owner who gets a puppy which has not been crate
trained, the process may be a little unnerving but is far
from impossible.
In the course of crate training your puppy, several
things should be done:
1. Prior to crating your puppy for the first time,
allow your puppy ample opportunity to investigate and
explore the crate. But don't force him.
2. When no one is free to supervise the puppy, it is
probably best to crate him if he cannot otherwise be
restrained from mischief.
3. Nighttime is usually the most unnerving part of
crate training, so here are a few suggestions:
(a) DO NOT place the crate in someone's bedroom.
Instead, find a quiet place where the temperature is
moderate, as far from your sleeping quarters as
possible. If this place can be darkened, so much the
better.
(b) At bed time after feeding, toileting him, and
saying good night to your puppy, place him in his
crate, close the latch, turn off any lights if possible,
and walk away.
(c) It is very likely that your puppy will cry and
complain very loudly about being left alone. Avoid
returning to his crate to quiet him, and do not take him
out. If the crying bothers you, turn up your TV or
radio, get ear plugs, or bury your head under the pillow
and dream of when this stage is all over, for it will
pass. This can last from 1 night to 1 week. The less
you give in, the shorter the time.
(d) With each succeeding night the crying will get
less and less. Within a few nights, your puppy will be
sleeping peacefully and quietly through the night.
HOUSE TRAINING
House training begins before your puppy even
arrives at your home. This training may include staying off furniture, staying out of the living room, but
most of all, not to urinate or soil anywhere in the
house.
Good sanitary behavior begins as soon as a puppy
begins to walk, leaving the nesting area to urinate on
newspaper or in a litter box which is placed immediately outside of this area. At the first sign of the
inherited sanitary behavior, which all dogs possess,
this behavior must be positively reinforced through
reward. Do not use negative reinforcement such as
disciplinary punishment.
If your puppy comes into your home at less than 12
weeks of age and must be confined for periods of time
exceeding four to six hours at a stretch, you will need
to make some special provisions such as a litter box
lined with newspaper, kitty litter, or a piece of sod. A
pup of 6 to 10 weeks of age can't control his bladder
very long, and will be forced to use his crate if locked
in it. If forced to do this consistently, he may decide
that this is acceptable behavior. Place the crate and
litter box in a cornered-off area of the kitchen or any
other room in which you wish to keep him. An
exercise pen is very handy in doing this, but cost may
be more than you wish to spend. A large appliance
box, such as from a refrigerator, will do. Cut out a
side of the top, leaving enough floor space for feeding.
Leave as much height on the sides as possible, for
basenjis can be very good climbers. Line the bottom of
this with a piece of hardboard. A four-by-eight sheet
may be used under an exercise pen. This will protect
your carpet or vinyl floor. Remember all within this
area is fair game for chewing. This includes even your
kitchen vinyl floor. As the pup grows and is still too
young to be crated over long periods, you may have to
buy a top for your exercise pen or extend the side of
your cardboard box with additional cardboard and
masking tape.
Do not line the entire area with newspapers.
Encourage him to use the litter box by waking him up
after sleeping and placing him there to urinate. Once
the scent is there he will try to make it to that spot
11
every time, unless it's too unsanitary -then he will seek
another spot. Should you have the advantage of being
able to take him to a spot to soil every 4 hours or less,
you can avoid this special environment and confine
him to his crate. Few people have this time available;
even nonworkers must get a full night's sleep or leave
the home for longer periods.
When you have your puppy out for playtime, take
him to his designated spot quite often. Like a young
child, he'll put off going till the last minute, then when
he becomes excited he will go. It may be on the couch
or in your arms. He has no control over this situation,
and the fault is yours for not prompting him to eliminate earlier. Confine him to his special environment,
unless playing or socializing with him. Make sure he
is watched, confined to a certain room, and that his
litter box is nearby. A young pup can't be expected to
travel more than about ten feet when he gets the urge
to go. If that certain spot (litter box) is not around, he
will find another. It's very important not to let him
have the run of the house because he will establish
other spots. Be prepared to pick him up in a hurry
should he choose a spot other than the litter box. Rush
him to the litter box and place him in it. If he hasn't
already relieved himself, praise him for doing so in the
litter box. Puppies are eager to please you. Don't
punish him if he happens to miss the box. House
training must be done with positive reinforcement
Check with the breeder to determine the method of
house training they may have begun. Maintain this
method, for a change will only confuse the pup. Pups
raised in an environment that is completely covered
with newspaper are not paper-trained. A paper-trained
pup will seek out the newsprint, rather than the pup
that just goes anywhere whenever he wishes. When
your puppy reaches the age of 11 weeks, he is capable
of sleeping through the night without soiling his crate.
He probably will go through a period of adjustment
and soiling his crate can be expected even during short
periods of crating.
Adjustment depends on how much preparation he
has had in crate training and house training. This also
may be lengthened by a strong-headed pup who
doesn't want to accept the situation. There are two
ways to go about this period of adjustment and crate
soiling. One is to repeat the environment described for
the 6 to 10 week pup at the beginning of this section.
Extra care must be taken to prevent escape. The
second is to crate him, line his crate with a disposable
product such as paper towel, plain bedding paper
(purchased from a pet shop), or a supply of washable
bedding. Don't use newsprint to line his crate if you
are using it for his litter box - this will cause confusion. Remember that this is only temporary. In a
week or two he should settle down and sleep through
the night. Regardless of which way you go about this
adjustment period, he will most likely be quite noisy.
Crating your 11 to 12 week old pup during the day
(6 to 8 hours) will require adjustment similar to crating
during the night. If possible, start him with his regular
rest period, gradually extending its length by one hour
a day until the desired duration. No dog can be
expected not to soil the crate if not prompted to relieve
himself prior to crating. Make sure he does the job.
Do not expect more than 8 hours safe crating time
from a young dog and no more than 12 hours from an
adult. These long periods are quite a demand.
Crate soiling has emotional factors: a pup or adult
dog who has controlled himself during a long period
may relieve himself due to the excitement of your
returning or his morning feeding. Make sure you let
him out to an appropriate place to soil as soon as possible, should he exhibit this excited behavior. A dog
could also relieve himself out of retaliation toward
being crated, if he has not been adjusted to crating
during that time of day. In no case should a dog who
has soiled his crate be greeted with punishment. This
will cause resentment on the part of the dog toward
you and/or the crating. He may continue soiling his
crate out of retaliation regardless of the punishment.
A dog may also soil his crate seeking attention, even
though this attention is punishment. Don't make a big
12
issue of going away or coming home for the dog that is
crated. This creates unnecessary anxiety. The less said
the better.
Within two weeks of acquiring your pup, he should
be settling in with his new home. He should have the
litter box mastered and be somewhat crate- trained.
The use of the two together teaches him control. You
must maintain a regular schedule of feeding, crating,
playtime and a certain spot to soil. This consistency is
the foundation of all training. Failing to be consistent
extends the training time and leads to your own
frustration
When to train your puppy to relieve himself outside
instead of inside depends on a number of variables.
Don't put a young pup outside until a week after his
first series of vaccines -- approximately 8 to 9 weeks
of age. There are too many infectious diseases to take
any chances. Another factor is the weather. Don't
require your young pup to withstand extreme cold or
rainy weather in an effort to convert him from the box
to outside. This could become a form of negative
training: he will soon decide it is more comfortable
going inside. You are also taking a chance of him
acquiring an infectious disease by stressing his body
with weather that could lower his resistance.
Begin converting him to going out as soon as the
weather permits and his body has a good resistance to
infectious diseases. If you have a covered porch protected from the extreme weather, you may wish to start
by having him use the litter box there until milder
weather. Place his litter box at the location which you
wish him to soil. Take him there when he wakes, prior
to crating, after feeding, and during playtime. He will
soon learn where his box is. Then allow him to trot
along at your side to this spot so you can show him
where it is. In a few days he will learn the path to this
spot. This will imprint on his mind that he must pass
through this door to get to the spot. Remember, if he
has not eliminated for 8 hours, the trip to that spot is
like the one you have probably gone through when
traveling in the car for hours. Though only a few feet
to the restroom, it seems like a mile; and when you get
there, you don't wish to wait. So make sure the
outside door is open as soon as possible, and don't
expect him to travel 100 feet to the rear of the yard to
relieve himself.
Remove the litter box after he has familiarized
himself with this location. Once the scent is there,
make sure he uses it consistently. From box to outside
should take about two weeks of consistent training.
This method of house training is designed to teach
your dog to soil in a designated spot, even when outside in the yard. There are other methods of house
training in the AKC The Complete Dog Book and
other books. Regardless of the method, the key to
success is consistency.
Accidents will occur. You should make an analysis
of what went wrong. How long has it been since the
pup was out, has he been sleeping, has he just eaten?
Nine times out of ten you can place the blame on
yourself. The pup should not be punished, regardless.
An adult may be disciplined if he has been thoroughly
trained to know better
In general, the Basenji is a very clean dog with
clean habits. Reinforce these habits with positive reinforcement.
Negative reinforcement can create
problems. This can be seen in the dog who has been
swatted with a rolled up newspaper or magazine. This
dog may be vicious to the paperboy or letter carrier
who brings these devices of punishment to the house.
A dog who is consistently struck with the hand may
become hand shy, and will be apt to bite the innocent
person who wishes to pet him. Rubbing his nose in it
is inhumane and cruel. This dog may have the scent
left on his face and won't be able to tell the difference
between right and wrong spots to soil. You also can
damage the dog's ability to smell. His nose is very
sensitive and easily damaged. Shaming the puppy for
doing something that occurs naturally will cause the
puppy to soil a place when you are not looking or seek
a concealed space such as behind the couch. In an
extreme case, a puppy will lick up or eat the mess he
has made in an attempt to hide it from you. All you
have taught him is shame toward what comes naturally; it won't solve the problem. He is not capable of
making the connection.
Negative reinforcement
should be used only when correcting aggressive or
disobedient behavior and used in conjunction with
positive reinforcement. (See section on Discipline.)
13
Don't expect the puppy to be totally house- trained
until 16 weeks of age. Even at this age, a lot depends
on the consistency of your efforts. Persistent crate
soiling in the older dog is either emotionally or medically connected. It is possible through poor training to
teach a dog this is acceptable. If you have this problem, please contact the breeder or the references listed
at the beginning of the manual for possible solutions.
The adult male marking in the house is a territorial
and/or sexual behavior. It occurs when the dog picks
up the scent or sight of another dog. You must correct
this with negative reinforcement and remove the scent.
A female in season will cause exceptional problems.
Other aspects of house training may be to stay off
the furniture or stay out of bedrooms. If you wish to
enforce these, start as soon as you receive the dog. To
allow a pup to sit on your lap while on the couch only
encourages him to jump up to get to your lap. If he
has been allowed in the bedrooms for three months
then gets booted out, a basenji will question why and
persist in entering. Reward good behavior and discipline "NO" for unwanted behavior.
BASIC TRAINING
As with all canines, certain basic obedience is
necessary to develop a good pet/owner relationship.
Most young basenjis exhibit similar unruly behavior,
such as: rushing the door with the intent of escaping;
stealing food from the table or right out of your hand;
jumping up on people, tables or forbidden furniture;
dragging their owner behind them while on a walk.
The intent of this article is to give you, the master,
some guidelines in training your basenji. Though no
two basenjis are alike, and training should be tailored
to the nature of each individual dog, these guidelines
will provide you with the basic knowledge to begin
training your basenji.
Consistency is the key to successful training.
Consistently use the same words for commands.
Consistently demand that your dog obey your
commands - by either placing or correcting.
Consistently correct your dog each time he
makes the mistake. To allow behavior at times but
not at other times will only confuse the dog.
Consistently practice the exercises until they are
thoroughly learned.
14
After about five weeks of working an exercise,
expect a learning plateau where the dog makes little
progress or even regresses. Expect this and do not be
discouraged. Continue your training to overcome this
plateau.
In order to be fair to your dog, training must always
proceed through the stages of:
1. Introduction
(guiding and placement); 2. Correction (for not
responding); 3. Proofing (introducing distractions and
expecting obedience in different situations).
Motivating your basenji to perform the desired
exercise uses negative and positive reinforcement, as
discussed under discipline. Positive reinforcement
should be encouraged to the greatest degree while
using negative reinforcement sparingly, only after the
dog has thoroughly learned the exercise.
The repetitive use of placement or guidance is
called Pattern Training.
This technique of
guidance/placement and reward is the foundation of
teaching a dog a command under most situations.
Maintaining your Basenji's attention during the
training session is of the utmost importance. Many
different sounds, sights, and scents will distract your
dog. Exercises should be taught with as few distractions as possible. Introduce different distractions as a
means of proofing a dog that has already learned the
exercise. Maintain your dog's attention by talking to
him or offering food. The use of "happy talk" & praise
during training cannot be emphasized enough.
While you are working with your dog, choose
simple brief commands that your dog can learn
through repetition. State the command words in a
"commanding voice". Do not question or ask the dog
(Sit?) or threaten the dog to obey. Only state the
command one time. Remember, "Sit, sit" is a "no no".
If your dog does not respond on the first command,
think about the reason he is not responding. This reason will dictate your response:
REASON
ACTION
Does not know exercise well
Frightened or unsure
Distracted
Feels he has a choice
Placement or guidance & praise
Placement or guidance & praise
Correction
Correction
C: Sits off-leash should be done after mastering onleash sits. Attach a pull tab to the obedience collar.
Use this to correct the dog if necessary as per on-leash
training.
You are entitled to correct the dog only if you have
spent an adequate amount of time introducing the
command words and you have no doubt your dog
knows what the command word means.
The jerk release correction is a quick action. You
must tighten the collar and then release it very quickly.
You should not be jerking and then holding the collar
tight with pressure. The jerks should not throw the dog
into position. You should guide the dog with light
jerks in the correct direction.
In exercises in which the dog is some distance from
you, such as OFF, a soda can with a few coins inside
can be thrown without harm to the dog or household
furnishings. Begin such a correction with "No!". If no
response, follow by throwing the can with the intent of
startling the dog - not hitting him. The dog should not
see you throw the can. It should come as a complete
surprise out of nowhere. Follow by a command.
If constantly correcting for the same mistake,
escalate the correction. Remember to escalate the
praise accordingly.
Practice your dog often, working different exercises
in sets of three. Finish the training session on a
positive note. The last exercise should be one that
your dogs knows best and enjoys. Tricks are a nice
finish to a training session.
#1 Benji sit.
A: While standing with your dog along your left
side, give the command "Benji sit". Pull up on the
collar with your right hand while using your left hand
to tuck the dog's rear under him. When sit is accomplished praise & release him. After constant repetition,
Benji will sit without assistance, anticipating praise
and a pup treat.
B: Continue sit exercise now with small distractions and work up to major distractions. When he fails
to comply, correct him accordingly.
Tuck-sit training
#2 Benji wait
A: The wait command can be given while standing,
sitting or lying down. Begin the exercise with no
distractions and in a less mobile position. With Benji
sitting at your side, on leash, give the command "wait"
without moving from his side. Allow 1/2 minute to
lapse. Correct him for moving with a lead pop
correction and a "no!". Quickly reset him to the wait
position while repeating the command "wait".
Gradually increase the duration of the "wait" and
gradually add distractions.
B: Begin leaving your dog only after he has mastered exercise "A" for 5 minutes or more with some
distractions. To begin leaving your dog on wait:
While on leash, dog sitting at your side, give the wait
command. Now move from your dog's side to directly
in front of him standing toe to toe. Correct him for not
waiting with a "no!" and a lead pop. Quickly reset
him to the same spot where he started and repeat the
command "wait". He should now be sitting directly in
front of you - waiting. Allow three minutes to lapse.
Correct if necessary. Release with "OK" and praise
enthusiastically.
C: When the dog is now waiting in front of you on
leash consistently for durations of five minutes or
more and with some distractions, step back away from
him one step. While still holding the leash (correct
15
Leash
back in the same spot he was told to wait. Return to
him, praise and release. Increase distance and distractions as you go along.
E: Repeat the entire series of wait exercises for
lying down & standing positions separately.
Your basenji, with practice, should now be willing
to wait when told, whether lying down, sitting or
standing. Always return to release him; don't call him.
Teaching him to come when called requires a different
series of exercises, and only after mastering waits.
Pull tab, 10” of
string looped,
drawn through
itself to secure
e.g. shoe string
Correct
Doesn’t allow for
a quick lead pop
and release
Wrong
It's quite likely your dog will realize he is no longer
on a leash, maybe as soon as you detach it, and he may
jet away. You need to discourage this behavior from
the start. Try attaching a very light line to his collar,
(such as fishing line) 40 lb test or more, before
detaching the leash. Walk away with light line in
hand. Benji will find himself still in master's grasp if
he tries to jet. It's best to have a glove on the hand
holding the fishing line. Should the dog jet, correct by
pulling the dog back to the spot where he should have
been, grab the pull tab on his collar, and tell him "No!"
while giving him a lead pop. Be firm, repeat the
command, wait, and walk away. Return and praise.
For best results, teach wait indoors until solid. Then
begin outdoors. Remember if he jets outdoors, you
may never catch him, so use a light line until fully
mastered. If your dog jets outside, most likely, by the
time you catch him, he will have forgotten what he
was doing. A correction now would serve no purpose.
A loose basenji should never be corrected for returning
to his master - even though you would like to wring
his neck. Praise should be given along with a treat to
encourage him returning to you even though you have
just spent an hour chasing him around the neighborhood.
#3 Let's go
him if necessary), return to him in three minutes.
Praise and release. Increase the distance gradually one
step at a time. You'll have to have a long leash or rope
for longer distances. Increase duration and distractions
as you go along. Increase the time and amount of distractions before you increase the distance. If your dog
is having problems - stay close, correct him before he
can get up.
D: Wait while off leash. Do not begin this exercise
until he has mastered on leash waits of 5 minutes at a
distance of 24' with distractions. Give the wait
command while on 6' leash, dog sitting by your side,
unlatch the leash and walk away to a 6' distance.
Attached to his collar should be a short tab. Use this
to give him a correction if necessary; always place him
16
Taking Benji for a walk should be fun, not an
effort. Many basenjis love to pull. Use the command
"let's go" when starting your walk. With Benji on a 6'
leash, hold the leash to your side. If he pulls, give the
command "no pull". Extending your arm forward,
quickly let the leash go slack and give a quick snap
back, giving a lead pop with enough force to get his
attention. Repeat as necessary. Praise him when he
maintains a slack leash.
With a little work, Benji should understand "no
pull" and be maintaining a slack leash. When he is
distracted, sniffing the ground or with another dog,
give a "leave it" command; correct if necessary. Now
while walking, make an about turn while Benji is
looking away and walk away from him. When you get
to the end of the leash and Benji hasn't responded, give
him a lead pop while telling him "let's go"
simultaneously. Praise him when he responds. Eventually, you won't be walking away from Benji - he'll
always be watching you out of the corner of his eye.
Praise him for "good let's go".
A Secure Yard
#4 Leave it
While on leash, with a few small distractions, when
the dog's attention is on the distraction (food, other
dogs, other people), give the command "leave it".
Follow with a lead pop if he fails to comply. Several
lead pops may be necessary to discourage very
tempting distractions. Praise him once his attention
has been diverted by the command. Start with very
small distractions working up to larger, more tempting
distractions.
Begin off leash correction with a pull tab when he
has learned the command on leash. This is probably
the most difficult point of training for a basenji, for he
is easily distracted by scent, sight, hearing, and taste.
Practice this exercise all the time, especially during
other training exercises. Use the command for begging, food stealing, pulling on the leash. Don't use the
command on a very tempting distraction until he has
mastered small distractions. Use it only when you're
prepared to enforce it with success.
#5 Benji off
A: When Benji is on something he shouldn't be,
give the command "Benji off". Using a leash or a pull
tab attached to an obedience collar, give a lead pop if
the command isn't followed, directing him off the
object.
B: When Benji jumps up on people, use the
command "Off". Correct if necessary as per exercise
A. Or raise your knee firmly striking the dog in his
chest. Be careful to use only enough force to deter the
dog without injury.
Always praise the dog for getting off something or
someone when commanded regardless if a correction
was necessary.
C: If Benji gets off when commanded, but jumps
right back up when you are not looking, command "No
Benji Off" while giving him a lead pop even though he
may have jumped off. Be firm. It may take several
tries before he gets the idea. Praise "good off - good
Benji" after he has lost interest in the object.
The Basenji is a master escape artist. The degree to
which one will go to escape varies from basenji to
basenji, but most basenjis are quite capable of climbing a chain link fence regardless of the height, can
master a standing vertical leap of 3 feet, climb a tree,
and can clear tall buildings with a single bound.
Should he find no way to go over, he may find a way
under. If he doesn't succeed at digging his way out, he
may try removing the fencing with his teeth, pulling
with unbelievable force, or chewing his way through.
These escape traits are the extremes which a
basenji may or may not exhibit. Some basenjis show
little or no desire to escape, and are quite content to be
confined by a 42 inch high porch railing, even though
this would be an easy leap. On the other extreme,
others are master escape artists, no matter what is
tried.
How can we confine our friend to keep him safely
at home? Why not use a chain? The disadvantages
prove it to be a poor way of confining your dog, and
should be used on a temporary basis only. Twist link
chains can be broken, and steel cable can be chewed
through. Only a welded link chain secured to a very
secure anchor will do. How do we secure this to the
dog? No leather or nylon collar will do, as leather
stretches and nylon collars can pull apart at the stitching or the D-rings can come apart if not welded. A
harness is the most secure way to restrain a dog.
17
Basenjis like to test their strength against any
restraint. "Tying out" creates extra heavy muscle mass
and wears off the hairs on the neck, ruining a show
dog's career. Also, chains don't keep the stray dogs
out, and if a stray should start a fight, the dog on the
chain is at an extreme disadvantage. In addition, he
may wrap himself up or jump over something and
strangle himself to death. This is not an uncommon
occurrence among chained dogs of any breed. Never
use a choke chain collar to tie out your dog.
ishment used at that point will be associated with
coming back to you and not escaping.
Remember, don't take chances. It only takes one
escape and you may never see him again. Whether he
gets lost or is hit by an automobile, the results are the
same.
What we have left is a beaten up basenji with a
harness on a heavy welded link chain secured to the 40
year old maple in the back yard. This may be escape
proof, but is it fair to a dog who enjoys running and
needs his exercise?
A 4 x 10 foot, fully enclosed dog run is more
humane. Even in this limited space, at least the dog
can move about freely.
Ideally, the completely fenced yard is best. A 5 or
6 foot fence is a good start. Should the dog find this
an easy jump, attach 30 inches of wire game fencing to
the top with heavy duty staples, nails, or wire and
leave the top loose. This will throw the dog backward
and remove any foothold the dog would have for any
type of climb or jump other than a full clearing leap.
Seven feet would be a very amazing clear leap even
for a basenji.
Should your basenji start digging under the fence,
place a barricade of large rocks or cement blocks at its
base. Another deterrent is to fill the hole with the
dog's own 'poop'. For the very determined digger, try
mixing the dirt as you refill the hole with generous
amounts of Cayenne pepper. This will provide an
automatic negative reinforcement for the dog since
every time he tries to dig, he starts to sneeze. This has
proven very discouraging to persistent diggers.
Install solid latches on gates, up high enough to
prevent the dogs from using them. Make sure gates
always are closed by using self closures or padlocks.
Inspect your fencing daily for possible escape routes
he is currently working on, and repair such immediately!
Don't forget to discourage that 2 month old puppy
who looks so cute trying to climb her way out of that
exercise pen. Escaping behavior begins early and can
also be stopped early so you can eliminate much
heartache from ever occurring.
If your basenji should get out and run loose, coax
him back with some food and make coming back to
you a pleasant experience even if you are ready to
wring his neck when you finally catch him! Any pun-
18
MICRO CHIPPING
Help! My Dog is Lost!!
Sometime during his life, your dog may turn up
lost. Basenjis can run very quickly and be miles away
from home in a matter of hours. Most will panic if
they become lost and will run. Once they have left
their familiar neighborhood behind, they may not be
able to find their way home by themselves.
What you can do before your dog is lost. Before
this nightmare has a chance to occur, there are some
simple steps you can take to aid in finding your dog if
he does become lost. First, take photographs of the
frontal and side view of your dog. Update these
photos as often as necessary, whenever your dog
changes his appearance. The photos will be used in
fliers.
Secondly, you should check the tags that your dog
has on his collar. You should have a personal tag, a
city/county identification tag, and a rabies tag.
Consider not putting your dog’s name on the personal
identification tag you buy. If your dog is a real love
(and what basenji isn't), having a name to call the dog
may bond your dog's finder closer and they may not
want to return him. Engrave the word "REWARD" in
the space available for a name on your dog's tag.
Whenever the information on your dog's tag changes,
buy a new tag. Rabies tags commonly have the name
of the veterinary hospital that the shot was given at
with a phone number and identification number.
Many dogs have been traced back to their owners by
these tags.
Dogs are often lost without their collars on. For
this reason, you should strongly consider a method of
identification that is permanently with your dog.
There are two options for this: microchip implantation
and tattooing. Both methods have positive and
negative points. You may consider having your dog
both tattooed and a microchip implanted.
Microchip implantation is a process done at a vet's
office. All sorts of valuable or exotic birds and
animals are being implanted. A microchip similar in
size and shape to a grain of rice is implanted under the
skin between your dog's shoulder blades. This chip,
which is not noticeable, can be scanned by a
specialized reader in a process similar to a cashier
scanning the barcodes of your groceries. Microchips
have the advantage in the fact that Animal Control is
required to scan all incoming animals for microchips
but may not check for a tattoo. A distressed dog may
not wish to show his tattoo either. One disadvantage
of microchips is that the finder of your dog will more
than likely need to go to a vet or Animal Control.
Microchips will not yield information without a
scanner. Scanning equipment is improving as of this
writing. There are scanners being developed which
scan the entire animal (similar to an airport metal
detector); It is not necessary for the operator to know
where the chip is located on the animal with these
units.
While there is no universal standard for microchip
codes, most commercial readers in use today are
capable of recognizing the presence of all of the code
types (with the possible exception of a code in use in
Europe).
There are around five different code
standards in use. Low cost personal readers will only
read one or two codes so if you purchase one of these
for use in your kennel, make sure you only implant
chips that are compatible with the unit you own. You
will find most vets like to stick with a single
manufacturer. Companies producing microchips have
a 24 hour hotline with which you can register your
dog's serial number. Until such time you register the
chip in your own name, the vet's name & number will
appear in the record. Beginning in 1995, the AKC has
also established a microchip hotline.
Tattoo is your other option of permanent
identification. It is recommended that you tattoo the
inside fold of your dog's hind leg. Use your dog's
AKC number or, if your dog is not AKC registered,
your driver's license number. Make sure that whatever
number you use is labeled. It is important to check the
tattoo artist's work to ensure long term legibility and
having the smallest tattoo possible. Tattoos have the
advantage in that they are recognized by anyone. They
indicate that you consider your dog valuable. Labs
will not purchase tattooed dogs for experimentation.
Disadvantages are that tattoos are visible and may be
large if not done by an expert. Although your dog's
AKC number will never change, other information you
may have chosen to tattoo can (phone number, driver's
license).
What to do when your dog is lost. There are three
steps to take when your dog turns up lost. First, get on
the phone - call all the vets in your area, the animal
control center, the local human society, and friends to
help you with the next step.
Secondly, create a lost dog poster. This poster
should include photographs of your dog, your name,
phone number, a written description of your dog, and
where he was lost. Consider getting color Xeroxes,
available at most copy centers, especially for brindles
and other dogs that color is a critical identifying
feature. Offer a reward; you may get a quicker
response if you use the phrase "substantial reward" in
your flyer.
These posters should be displayed everywhere.
This is where those friends you called come in handy.
Plaster them at least at every corner if not on every
telephone pole in your community. Give fliers to vets
and pet store owners to display. Many grocery stores
will also post your notice. Once your dog is found,
you must take down all the fliers you have posted.
Finally, advertise in the local paper. Make sure
your classified will be with the other lost dog listings.
Make your advert short but very clear - most people do
not know what a basenji is. Offer a reward as you
have in the fliers.
Hopefully, all of the preparation you take will
never be necessary and your dog will never be lost. If
your dog is lost, remember most dogs are found and
with the precautions mentioned above: up-to-date dog
tags, tattoos and microchip implantations will aid in
the safe return of your dog.
CHEWING
My dog and I were
walking down the street
one day and passed a
lady working in her
yard.
"Oh, what a
pretty basenji", she
exclaimed as she came
down to visit. "I used to
have a basenji, but she
chewed everything so
bad we had to give her
up. We only had her a
week!"
Yes, it is true that basenji puppies can be chewing
machines. The inherited tendency to investigate the
surroundings is very strong in a young dog. Evolution
encourages your pups to use their mouths to learn
19
about their environment, as well as to find additional
food sources.
Your success in preventing chewing problems
depends on how effectively you can channel your
puppy's tendency toward acceptable toys rather than
household goods.
One common mistake people frequently make is to
provide the pup with old socks or shoes. The puppy,
however, cannot distinguish between an old shoe and a
good shoe. If he learns that chewing leather is
acceptable, then all leather goods become fair game.
Never leave a puppy unattended unless he's
restricted to a damage proof area or in a crate. You
wouldn't leave a toddler alone-why would you trust a
puppy? You know that your basenji will chew on
something, so you can't blame him when he does.
Your puppy is not purposefully trying to be malicious
or destructive. It is his instinct to chew.
It is your fault for giving him the opportunity. Do
not punish your puppy when you find a chewed object
after the fact. Your puppy's mind probably won't make
the connection. (An adult basenji knows better, but
not a puppy). All you can do is clean up the mess and
resolve to not let it happen again. But, you say, "He
looks so guilty when I scold him, he must know what
he did wrong." How can you be sure your basenji
makes the connection between the mess on the floor
and his making the mess? Try this experiment: Drop a
piece of tissue on the floor and bring your basenji to it
and scold him. He will probably act very guilty, even
though he has done nothing wrong. What connection
has he made?
Make sure that his acceptable chewing items cannot be swallowed or chewed into splinters. Some
suggestions are hard nylon bone, hard rubber toy,
Floss Rope, Gumabone, rawhide (when supervised).
When he begins to chew something he shouldn't,
correct him with a loud NO and remove the object.
Immediately offer him one of his toys, but do not force
it into his mouth. Spray or dab the unacceptable items
with a preparation that will discourage chewing such
as Chew-Stop, Bitter Apple, rubbing alcohol, Tabasco
Sauce, or clove oil, then put it into his mouth. Praise
him when he spits it out.
ones to chew on. This method doesn't scent the actual
objects, making a choice between his toys and forbidden objects based on experience, not by a given
scent.
Pick up all potentially harmful objects such as
needles, bottle caps, or anything else that could be
easily ingested.
Get into the habit of looking for trouble before it
occurs.
Basenjis LOVE to get into things such as the garbage and the dirty underwear. They also quickly learn
how to open the kitchen cabinets to get to those enticing odors. Recently, I knew a basenji that chewed up a
fur jacket. Basenjis have been known to chew such
things as pillows, couches, chairs, car seats, quilts,
chair and table legs, corners of coffee tables, door
jambs, rugs, any bedding you put in the crate, curtains,
and anything plastic. Basenjis also make great paper
shredders and love to tear any piece of Kleenex, cardboard, disposable diaper (new or used), and newspaper
into tiny pieces. This chewing behavior, uncontrolled,
may result in poisoning or other serious health problems.
Basenji puppies will chew on anything when given
the opportunity. Please take some precautions to help
your pup through a troublesome stage of development
without harm to himself or to your home. Do both of
you a favor and start him out right. Please follow the
recommendations of your Breeder, and crate or confine your basenji when you are not there to watch him.
INTRODUCING YOUR NEW BABY
TO YOUR BASENJI
One of the best things about Basenjis is that they
love babies. One of the worst things about Basenjis is
that they love babies.
Take him to all electrical cords within reach and
repeat the procedure. Remember to praise him when
he spits out the cord.
Since basenjis are extremely social creatures in the
sense that they are happiest in a "pack" or family living situation, the addition of a new baby into the
household can have all the ramifications (curiosity,
jealousy, etc.) that you might experience if your
basenji were actually a former only child. Indeed,
many couples have a pet "family" before they have a
child--and in some ways, basenjis thoroughly prepare
you for a terrible two year old. And, like an older
child, a basenji will successfully integrate into the new
nuclear family with just a little patience on your part.
You may also wish to try dipping a Q-Tip in one of
these substances. Insert the Q-Tip into the unsuspecting puppy's mouth while he is chewing on an
unacceptable object. (Don't forewarn him.) Repeated
consistently, soon, he'll find his toys are the only safe
First, be aware of the sense of excitement pervading your return home from the hospital. You are also
carrying a bundle in your arms that smells wonderful
and lots of attention is focused on that bundle. There
are all sorts of little knitted fuzzy clothes and toys that
20
ARE TWO BASENJIS BETTER
THAN ONE?
go with it. Instead of creating a situation where your
basenji will be wild with curiosity and want to jump
up, sniff, lick, grab fuzzies, or even nip, why not have
someone else carry the baby in so that you can greet
your basenji calmly and with a little attention just for
him. After all, he's had you all to himself until now,
and you have been away for a few days. Next calmly
show your basenji the new baby. Let him sniff and
satisfy his curiosity about just what that squirming
thing is. Give him gentle admonishments of "NO" if
he attempts to lick your newborn. You will need to
monitor him as he will persist in his attempts to keep
this new "puppy" clean and dry.
Be prepared for any number of behavioral reactions
from your basenji. He may be aloof and sulky for a
few days. He may be your shadow, never leaving your
side, even trying to crowd the baby as he attempts to
climb onto your lap. He may consider himself the
appointed guardian of the new baby, sleeping next to
the crib, or lying at your feet when you are holding the
baby, and subsequently growling at anyone who
approaches or attempts to pick up the child. Since
basenjis have an innate instinct for caring for the
young, most will tolerate a toddler's rough handling,
but be prepared to rescue your basenji from small
pinching fingers. A child will need to be periodically
rescued from a Basenji's obsessive need to lick and
clean any and all body fluids. And, while we're on the
subject, to avoid unpleasant discoveries, it is
recommended that used diapers be kept well out of the
reach of your basenji.
With a little foresight on your part, your basenji and
your new baby will share a special friendship in your
growing household.
This question often arises and is one for lively
debate. Of course the right answer is “it depends.”
There are some rules of thumb. Although often
tempting, generally it is not a good idea to acquire two
puppies at once. Every basenji puppy needs and
deserves your focus and attention during his
puppyhood. You will also find that at least a year
between puppies allows time and maturity for your
puppy to know the rules of your household. It is
VERY difficult for novices to train two basenji
puppies at once. This is because the relationship
between the two puppies (regardless of whether or not
they are littermates) will immediately create a greater
bond between them than your bond to either of one of
them. Expedition Mischief multiplies exponentially
with multiple puppies in a non-kennel environment.
This can make your home chaos. To quote a long time
basenji fancier, “what one doesn’t think of, the other
one will.”
After a year of training, you may find yourself
longing for another puppy or a canine camaraderie
companion for your Basenji. The interaction between
the two can be charming, just plan plenty of time to
review your situation and design an appropriate pair.
You may want to refer to the breeder of your Original
puppy before you make any decisions. Basenjis do
have a variety of tolerances to other dogs; someone
with a wider frame of reference may be able to help
guide you through this planning. Be very honest about
your Basenji’s attitudes, experiences and exposures to
other dogs. Wishful thinking is not appropriate when
making such a long term commitment. Generally, the
most compatible pairs are of the opposite sex. There
are exceptions to this generality, but it usually holds
true. Many people have had great success with a pair
of bitches, and some had even had success with a pair
of males.
The safest thing to do before adopting a second
Basenji of the opposite sex is to spay or neuter one of
them as soon as possible. Certainly if you have intact
dogs of other breeds in your household, you will want
to be most cautious. Having intact canines of the
opposite sex under the same roof during the bitch’s
heat cycle is not pleasant in any way. Besides the
bitch’s discharge, there is howling at all hours of the
day and night, unrelenting escape attempts, and a
barrage of other unpleasantries.
In addition to the sex of your new Basenji, you will
need to think about your desired age difference
between the two Basenjis. One theory of some
humans is to spread out the ages of their Basenjis so
that when the older Basenji passes on (of old age
hopefully) that the humans are not without a Basenji
21
companion. Most Basenjis (who were raised as an
“only child”) over three years of age are less tolerant
of a puppy’s behavior than a younger adult.
Remember that Junior Basenji will be mouthing and
badgering Original Basenji all day and all night long to
play for the better part of a year. Young adults still
have plenty of energy and willfulness to join in the
fun. Basenjis in tandem have their own
communication and will become a “pack.” You may
discover that after a year, Junior becomes the “top
dog,” or the Original may continue its role as the
leader.
When considering a second Basenji, please
consider adopting a “rescue” Basenji. The Basenji
Club of America has an active network of resource
people all over the country helping Basenjis find new
homes. There are also purebred dog rescue groups in
many municipalities. You may be surprised at the
variety of circumstances that force a family to part
with their Basenji. Sometimes the owners are going
overseas indefinitely, or have moved in with relatives
who cannot have a dog, allergies arise….there are as
many reasons as there are Basenjis in need of a new
home. The organized groups carefully review each
potential adoptee, to make sure that it appears to be of
balanced temperament and in good health. Check the
classified section of your local newspaper, your
telephone book, the BCOA, or the Evergreen Basenji
Club to help you adopt a rescue Basenji.
When you bring home your “new” Basenji,
consider how you will make the introduction to your
Original Basenji. The best place to make new friends
is on neutral territory. A city park is a great place so
long as Junior is properly immunized. (Your garage
can work in a pinch.) Make sure that there are two
humans at the time of the meeting. Bring the two
Basenjis to the site in separate vehicles if possible and
don’t park within eyesight of each other. Get Original
Basenji out of the vehicle on leash, and allow him to
relieve himself and to settle. If possible, both people
should have some happy interaction with Original
before someone fetches Junior. Put treats in your
pocket before you bring Junior out on leash. Use a
happy voice directed at Original Basenji as Junior
comes within sight. ALWAYS make sure that GOOD
things happen to Original when Junior is around and
appropriate behavior is exhibited. Be prepared for
them to sniff all the private parts right away. If either
Basenji puts their hackles up, stroke them and comfort
them. Keep a good hold on the leashes in case of
22
emergency. Once play begins, praise them both and
verbalize suggestions to Adult Basenji, “should we
take Junior home with us?”
If your “new” Basenji is not a puppy, the
introductory period may take longer. If they are of the
same sex, several “visits” on different days may be
necessary before harmony is reached. Be patient.
Remember to offer extra attention to your Original
Basenji especially during the first few weeks. Visitors
will be lavishing attention on Junior, and you don’t
want Original Basenji to get jealous. Make a point of
making good things happen to Original when Junior is
around. You will find that Original will help teach
Junior many rules of the house including crate training
and outdoor duties. The new “pack” will be charming
and fascinating. You too may exclaim, “you can never
have just one Basenji!”
Caring For Your Basenji
IMMUNIZATIONS/WORMING
Preventive Immunizations are a vital part of
the health care of your puppy. The following serious,
often fatal diseases are preventable through early
immunization, followed by regular boosters.
Distemper (D): A highly-infectious viral
disease of young dogs - often fatal, characterized by
begun, to stimulate the pup's own immune system to
produce antibodies.
There is a difference of opinion among authorities,
veterinarians, and breeders, as to the best time to begin
immunization, i.e., vaccination. If begun too early,
immunizations may be ineffective for either of two
reasons: 1) the pup's own immune system may not yet
be mature and capable of making antibodies; 2)
maternal antibodies may interfere with the action of
the vaccine on the pup's immune system. If begun too
late, the pup is left unprotected. Therefore a series of
vaccinations is recommended.
Also, during the first few months of life, the pup
should be protected from unnecessary exposure to
other dogs.
rhinitis and fever.
Hepatitis (H): A viral infection characterized
by inflammation of the liver.
The following schedule of immunizations is a
guideline based on a consensus of opinions of vets and
breeders. Using this schedule as a guideline, you
should consult your breeder and your vet as to what
vaccinations your pup has already had, what vaccinations should be given, and on what schedule.
Leptospirosis (L): A series of bacterial
infections cause by several members of the genus
Leptospira, involving liver and kidneys.
Immunization Schedule
Parainfluenza (P): and/or Adenovirus type 2
(A2): A complex of viral respiratory infections,
characterized by bronchitis, including "Kennel
Cough".
DHLP-PV or
DA 2PL-PV
Parvovirus
(PV):
A viral infection
characterized by severe enteritis with vomiting and
bloody diarrhea - often rapidly fatal in young pups.
Coronavirus (CV): Similar to Parvovirus, but
somewhat less severe.
Rabies: An always-fatal viral disease of the
central nervous system.
When your puppy is born, his own immune system
is not fully mature and is not capable of making
antibodies against infectious diseases. The pup is
afforded some protection at birth and during the early
weeks of his life by maternal antibodies acquired from
his mother. If she is immune to the various diseases,
the pup will acquire immunity from her blood via the
placenta, and her milk as he nurses after birth. During
the first few weeks of life, as the pup's own immune
system develops, the level of maternal antibody falls.
At some point in the pup's early life, he will be unprotected and susceptible to the infectious diseases. It is
at this point that preventive immunizations must be
PUPPIES
6 weeks:*
8 weeks:
10 weeks:
12 weeks:
16 weeks:
6 months:
6 mo.-1 yr:
ADULTS
X
X
X
X
Parvo Corona Rabies
X
X
check with state laws
yearly booster:
every 3 years:
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
* For puppies sold at this age (not recommended), effectiveness
of vaccine is questionable
Parvovirus vaccine may be given in combinations
with DHLP OR DA 2PL or given separately on a
staggered schedule spaced between the DHLP'S. Parvo
vaccine is available either as a killed virus or modified
live virus vaccine. There is a difference of opinion
among authorities as to the vaccine of choice. The
most recent opinion is that the modified live vaccine is
both safe and more effective in stimulating antibodies,
and is subject to less interference from maternal anti-
23
bodies, hence affording earlier protection.
consult your breeder and vet.
Again,
Coronavirus vaccine is the newest of the vaccines,
first available in 1985. It is a killed virus vaccine,
available separately or in combinations with the other
vaccines.
If your pup will be exposed to other dogs at an
early age, as at dog shows or in traveling, PV and CV
vaccines may be given as early as six weeks of age. If
so, at least one dose should be given after ten weeks of
age and a booster dose given at six months of age.
Rabies is not endemic in the Seattle area. However,
immunization between six months and one year of age
is recommended. If your pup is to travel to a rabies
area, rabies immunization may be given at four months
of age; a booster must then be given at one year and
thereafter every three years. Killed rabies vaccine is
recommended as safe and effective.
If you will be traveling with your dog to Canada,
proof of Rabies vaccination is required to cross the
border. For pups too young for a rabies shot, contact
the customs office for specific instructions.
Heartworm is a mosquito borne parasite infestation
characterized by larvae in the bloodstream which settle
out and mature into adult worms in the heart.
Treatment of the disease is difficult; either the treatment or the untreated disease may be fatal. There is
no immunization for this disease; however, a preventive medication is available. Heartworm is not
presently a problem in the Northwestern United States;
but if your pup is to travel, or you live in an affected
area ask your vet if preventive medication is recommended for your area or where he will be going.
Medication must be administered daily for one month
before, during and for three months after possible
exposure. Be sure to check with your vet early.
The dog must be tested for heartworm before any
preventive medication can be given. Failure to do so
may be fatal if there is an existing infestation. New
medications such as “Heart- Guard” have been
developed which only need to be administered
monthly. Check with your veterinarian for the
availability of these.
This vital part of your pup's health is entrusted to
you, with the advice and assistance of your breeder
and your veterinarian. Good luck to you, good health
and happiness to your new pup!
A word about worms
Worms are a common nuisance and health problem
for basenjis as well as all dogs. Several species of
round worms and tape worms are common. Some
24
breeders prefer routine worming of pups, but others
and most vets prefer to have stool specimens checked
for the presence of worm ova (eggs) and treat only the
affected animals. Check with your breeder to see if
your puppy has been wormed, what medication was
used, and when. Symptoms of worms, such as weight
loss, pot bellies, and shabby coat, often go unnoticed
until infestation is heavy. A good suggestion is to take
a stool specimen for examination when you take your
pup for its first health check and again each year when
he goes for his annual vaccinations or sooner if you
suspect worms.
You should also watch your dog's stools for
tapeworms. Tapeworm ova are often missed on a
stool microscopic exam, since they are found inside
the worm segments that break off and are passed in the
stool. Tapeworm segments are easily seen with the
naked eye on the surface of fresh stool or clinging to
the anal area. They are whitish, about the size of a
grain of rice, and sometimes may be seen moving! If
you see tapeworm segments, take your dog to the vet
and request the Droncit medication, available in pill or
injectable form. This medication is considered safe
and more effective than over the counter medications.
GROOMING
The short sleek coat of the Basenji requires very
little grooming to look its best. Your dog will keep
himself clean, sometimes even using his tongue much
like a cat does.
For that rare bath use a shampoo specifically made
for dogs. Keep the water out of his eyes and ears by
using a washcloth on his face.
In the spring, your dog may 'blow his coat' or lose
his fuzzy undercoat if he has grown one in the winter.
You will find his hair will come out easily with a
pinch of your fingers. This normal shedding process
can be hastened by the use of either a stripping comb,
a shedding blade, a rubber curry, or a 'hound glove'.
These items can be found at any pet store. Do not use
metal combs or brushes with metal pins, as these are
too harsh for the short coat and fine skin. Some
owners get good results using the edge of a hacksaw
blade rubbed along with the grain of the coat to pull
out dead hair. Ask your breeder to show you this
method of removing the loose dead hair. During most
of the year you will notice very little shedding from
your dog's coat.
If you are going to show your dog, the amount of
grooming required is dependent on your dog's coat.
Some dogs may need a bit of trimming to give the tail
or fringe along the back of his legs a neater appearance. Ask someone to show you the correct way to do
this trimming, if you think your dog needs it, so it will
hold the dog if necessary while you clip; kneel on the
floor with the dog between your knees. Do not allow
the dog to struggle and get away. Hold him firmly
until you are done with one paw (or one nail if he is
really struggling), then set the clipper down and
continue to hold him until he is quiet, then release him
(with lots of praise). Remember, if he struggles and
gets away he will struggle harder the next time. You
are the boss and should always win the battle. If he
learns that struggling will get him nowhere, he will
soon learn to sit quietly while you do the clipping. If
you are consistent, even the worst dog will eventually
be quiet while you do his nails.
Be very careful not to cut into the 'quick' (the blood
and nerve supply to the nail). It is best to snip off a
tiny amount of nail and make two snips per nail rather
than trying to snip off one big chunk.
BASENJI HEALTH
appear neat and not just hacked away. Most breeders
do not trim the whiskers or the hair inside the ears, as
these serve as sensory and protective functions necessary for the health of your dog.
There are various sprays and coat conditioners
available that, depending on your dog's coat, you may
or may not want to try. Consult the AKC rules pertaining to their use for the show ring. Most dogs
require only a bath the night before a show.
Your dog's toenails will require an occasional
clipping to keep his feet in good health. His dewclaws
were removed when he was just a few days old, so he
has just 4 toes on each foot. The necessary frequency
of cutting is dependent on several factors: rate of
growth, amount of exercise on what types of surfaces,
and the age of your dog (puppy nails tend to grow
faster). The front feet may need cutting more often
than the rear feet. It is best to snip off a small amount,
more frequently, rather than waiting until the nails are
long so that you need to snip off a big chunk.
There are several different types of clippers and
grinders available. Their ease of use depends mostly
on what you practice and get used to. Clipping nails is
not difficult, but does take some practice. If at all
possible, avoid taking him to the vet to have it done.
Ask your breeder or resource person to show you the
correct way to do it.
The first few times you trim your dog's nails he will
probably hate it, fighting and struggling to get away.
You must be firm in holding the dog, but be careful
not to squeeze or pinch his paws. Have another person
Our friend the Basenji is a sturdy little breed from
Africa, and when compared to other purebred breeds
has few health problems. This article is a summary
and introduction to some of the more prevalent diseases.
Persistent Pupillary Membrane
Persistent Pupillary Membrane is not life threatening, but should be considered when planning any
breeding program.
During fetal development, a fibrovasular tissue, the
Pupillary Membrane forms a layer across the front of
the eye to form a blood supply to nourish the
developing lens. In the normal course of events, this
temporary vascular mesoderm regresses and deteriorates and is generally completely gone by the time the
puppy is 14 days old.
When the Pupillary Membrane does not deteriorate
completely by age 14 days, it is labeled Persistent
Pupillary Membrane (PPM). It may persist for several
months before disappearing, or the remaining strands
may attach to the cornea or lens creating cataracts.
PPMs come in all shapes, sizes, and severities, may
be very extensive and visible to the naked eye, or may
be very small and require considerable magnification
to be seen. As a general rule, the condition does not
significantly reduce vision but in extreme cases may
cause marked reduction in vision or even blindness. It
has been estimated that the majority of basenjis do
have PPM to some degree.
25
known what effect the pregnant bitch's diet may have
on the development of PPM.
Examination for PPMs should be done by a veterinarian ophthalmologist through the use of a 'slit
lamp' exam when the puppy is 2-4 months of age.
Coloboma is a depression or perforation in the
optic disk which is sometimes associated with PPM.
An examination for this condition should be made
when checking for PPM.
CERF
There are four levels/degrees of PPM. The least
offensive affection is “iris to iris.” This means that the
PPM strand(s) are attached on each end to the iris, thus
not affecting the vision of the hound in any way
although apparently the membrane did not detach
correctly. Young puppies who are diagnosed as being
mildly affected can be tested again at one year of age
and perhaps be diagnosed as “clear.” This is because
the young puppy’s membranes may not have had a
chance to completely detach before the first exam.
PPM that does not clear up by one year of age is not
going to. The second level of PPM is “iris to lens;”
more often than not, this level of PPM is “permanent”
and will not improve to the point of testing “clear.”
The third level of PPM is “iris to cornea,” this can
sometimes be seen by the naked eye. It appears to be a
light blue iridescent spot on the eyeball. The worst
level of PPM is “iris sheets” that literally shield the
eye with a light blue cast that can look “pretty” to the
novice puppy buyer.
PPM is believed to be an inherited failure of the
pupillary membrane to deteriorate at the proper time.
The exact mode of inheritance of PPMs has not been
determined. Siblings of the same litter may be mildly
or severely affected, and mildly affected animals may
produce severely afflicted offspring. It is also not
26
When a board certified ophthalmologist performs a
“slit lamp” exam on a basenji, the basenji must be at
least seven weeks of age. The doctor views each eye,
and judges them independently. One eye may be clear,
and the other eye may be affected to some degree.
Some breeders rate their litters partially on the results
of this test; others find it beneficial to track which
breedings produce any PPM at any stage. If a puppy
or an adult is found to be clear of eye concerns at the
time of testing, a board certified ophthalmologist may
declare the basenji as phenotypically “clear,” and issue
a CERF certificate from the Canine Eye Registration
Foundation. As of 2002, a basenji having minor (iris
to iris) PPM can now receive a CERF. Although this
is a distinguished rating, a “CERFed” basenji is not
necessarily genetically clear. A CERF rating is valid
for one year from the date of the exam.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA affects the retina, which is the 'picture screen'
at the back of the eye. PRA causes the blood vessels
of the retina to atrophy and die. When the retina dies,
the 'picture screen' no longer functions and the dog
becomes blind. This condition is irreversible, and
there is no cure. PRA has been found in several
different breeds of dogs, and although some breeds
vary in the age of onset, they share the same clinical
abnormalities and signs (night blindness, progressive
loss of day vision, and total blindness). The typical
age of onset for PRA has not been established for the
Basenji. It has shown up as early as age 3 and as late
as age 6. This late onset complicates efforts to breed
away from the disease. Testing is done by ophthalmic
exam by a Board Certified Ophthalmologist. A dog
testing clear of PRA at age 5 or 6 may still develop the
disease later on. Ophthalmoscope examinations should
be repeated annually. If an abnormality is detected,
further testing can confirm or rule out PRA.
The suspected mode of inheritance is through a
simple recessive gene (see HA section below). A
carrier can be "normal-eyed", but can produce afflicted
dogs if bred to another carrier. PRA research is
ongoing and has resulted in positive DNA tests for
carrier status in several breeds.
The Basenji
community is currently working towards a DNA test to
identify carrier status in Basenjis. As of this printing,
however, the only way to control the incidence of PRA
in Basenjis is by thorough research of, and high
confidence in the pedigrees of the sire and dam so as
not to breed possible carriers.
Hemolytic Anemia
Hemolytic Anemia at one time was considered a
major threat to the breed but today is rarely seen. This
is a real triumph for the breeders who worked so hard
to eliminate the disease.
H.A. is a condition in which the red blood cells are
destroyed more rapidly than normal. This genetically
transmitted disease is caused by a partial lack of a very
important enzyme in the red blood cells called Pyruvate Kinase (PK for short). A similar anemia (due to
PK deficiency) has been known to occur in man.
Symptoms for the dogs begin very early and owners
notice that the affected animals tire easily and sleep a
great deal. Most succumb when approximately two
years of age.
In the early 1970's, much research into this disease
proved that PK deficiency in the Basenji was due to a
recessive gene. This means that basenjis could be
divided into three categories:
1) Those clear of the disease (a dog which has 2
genes for normal PK activity).
2) A carrier (a dog which has one gene for
normal PK activity and one gene for PK
deficiency). This is a healthy animal which will not
have HA, which should have normal behavior and
activity, and a normal life span.
3) An affected dog (a dog which carries two
genes for PK deficiency).
The extensive research done at that time led to
sensitive testing that could distinguish between the
clear, carrier, and affected animals.
Through discriminate breeding practices, avoiding
mating a carrier to a carrier, and continued testing over
several generations, HA has been drastically reduced.
There have been recent reports of HA affected dogs,
so testing is still being continued.
Fanconi Syndrome
Fanconi Syndrome is a renal tubular dysfunction
that was first reported in the Basenji in 1976, and has
since drawn the interest of researchers due to its similarity to Human Fanconi Disease. It has also been
found in several of the other breeds. While Fanconi
Syndrome is thought to be at least partially (if not
fully) inherited, the mode of inheritance is unknown.
Current research is aimed at using DNA to discover
the mode of inheritance so the disease can be
prevented.
The normal function of the kidney is to "filter" the
blood, reclaiming amino acids, salts, and various
important chemicals and letting the wastes go into the
urine. With Fanconi Syndrome, the cells of the
proximal tubule in the kidney do not function properly
so those things that should be reclaimed go into the
urine. The body thus loses vital constituents needed
for normal functions.
Symptoms of this disorder are polydipsia (increased
thirst), polyuria (frequent urination), dehydration,
weight loss, changes in haircoat, and weakness. These
signs can mimic diabetes. However, there are no
correspondingly high levels. Many vets have falsely
labeled the disorder diabetes, kidney failure or thyroid
deficiency due to lack of knowledge of the syndrome.
Since Fanconi Syndrome is rare outside basenjis, you
should always mention this to the vet when diagnosing
a problem. The signs may appear as early as the age
of three, but basenjis between the ages of five and
eight have shown the highest rate of occurrence.
Unfortunately, by this age, the dogs may have passed
the condition on to new generations.
While there is yet no cure for Fanconi Syndrome,
research does go on. Meanwhile, the prognosis for
your affected basenji is good thanks to the “Fanconi
Management Protocol for Veterinarians” developed by
Dr Steve Gonto of Georgia (see appendix). This
involves working with your veterinarian on identifying
your dog's metabolic deficiencies and place them on a
vitamin, mineral, bicarbonate, replacement regimen,
combined with a high protein diet, to make up for the
kidney's losses. A Fanconi dog has what is termed
medically as 'high output' failure. There is NO
problem with toxin build up since the kidney is
filtering things OUT just fine. Thus, the treatment for
Fanconi involves almost the opposite of 'low output
failure'. Fanconi dogs need free access to clean water,
high protein diets, and the replacement of whatever
electrolytes and bicarbonate they are urinating away,
in order to restore a normal blood chemistry and acid
base balance. Periodic follow up blood work to
measure electrolytes and venous pH will be essential
to the maintenance of your affected pet's health. With
proper medical management, Fanconi Syndrome does
NOT have to be a slowly debilitating, lethal condition
and affected dogs may expect an active full life
expectancy. The protocol changes infrequently, so
please see the appendix to find out if it is current.
27
IPSID
Case reports of a chronic intractable diarrhea in the
Basenji have been discussed in the veterinary literature
since the early 1960's. It was called by various names
such as Basenji Diarrhea Syndrome, Chronic Intractable Diarrhea, or Malabsorption Syndrome. In the
early 1980's the combination of signs and symptoms
was labeled Immunoproliferative Small Intestinal
Disease (IPSID).
IPSID is a genetically-mediated severely debilitating diarrhea disease of the Basenji. Clinical symptoms
can be various -- you may see chronic diarrhea, poor
appetite, aversion to food, occasional vomiting, weight
loss, wasting, dry coat & skin, hair loss, etc. The
disease is characterized by variable age of onset,
malabsorption, protein-losing enteropathy, and
abnormal immune function.
Most dogs afflicted with this disorder will experience progressive emaciation associated with chronic
diarrhea, or a cyclically exacerbating course, characterized by episodes of anorexia and/or diarrhea. Many
times it is precipitated by a stressful episode, such as
boarding, transport, estrus, pregnancy, major surgery,
or even exhibition at dog shows.
An electrophoresis study of the serum (the liquid
portion of the blood) shows a marked increase in the
gamma globulins and a corresponding decrease in the
albumin. These changes noted in the Protein Electrophoresis Test (P.E.T.) have proven to be a useful tool
in confirming the diagnosis of IPSID in dogs with
some of the symptoms.
Current research is aimed at the effects of diet on
the development and course of the disease; treatments
with antibiotic and vitamin therapies; and attempts to
discover the mode of inheritance.
Pancreatic Enzyme Deficiency
The symptoms of this disorder may appear similar
to IPSID. The dog will be unthrifty and appear
undernourished. The dog will have frequent copious
amounts of loose, fatty appearing stools. The disorder
is frequently triggered by a stressful event such as a
dog fight or surgery.
Diagnoses can be made by having a stool sample
checked for the presence or absence of the pancreatic
enzymes. Treatment consists of a combination of an
easily digestible diet and supplemental pancreatic
enzymes.
Umbilical Hernia
28
Umbilical Hernia results from failure of the
umbilical ring to close after birth allowing protrusion
of fatty tissue (belly button). In severe cases, the
intestinal lining protrudes which can cause intestinal
blockage. In most cases, the umbilical ring will eventually close, leaving a small lump of fatty tissue for a
belly button.
Young puppies whose umbilical ring has not closed
can benefit from repeatedly reducing the hernia by
gently pressing in with your thumb. The pup should
always be lifted with a hand under its tummy to
support any hernia.
If the hernia itself should appear red or inflamed,
seek immediate medical attention. If the hernia should
fail to close by one year of age, it should be surgically
repaired, and the dog should not be bred. Dogs
requiring surgical repair are still eligible to be shown
in AKC conformation, and some owners choose to
remove the fatty tissue for purely cosmetic reasons.
Hypothyroid
Thyroid deficiency is characterized by a coarse
brittle coat, aggressiveness, lethargy, obesity, mental
dullness, and irregular heat cycles. Trainers have
noted a definite improvement in behavior with dogs
which have tested low normal range of thyroid when
given a low dose thyroid supplement. Diagnosis
requires a thyroid blood test. Basenji bitches who
have whelped puppies would benefit from a thyroid
blood test before being bred again. A thyroid
imbalance often occurs as a result of whelping.
The current threats to the breed are Fanconi Syndrome, PRA and IPSID, as outlined above. Since
research into these diseases is ongoing and constantly
changing, specific information about theories and
testing studies has not been included in this manual.
Contact your breeder to find out what studies may
have been done on your puppy and his parents. Your
breeder or breed club will be able to provide you with
current information on research studies pertaining to
these disorders.
If your basenji has any serious health problem,
make sure you contact the breeder. Breeders need to
be informed of these serious health problems in order
to assess breeding programs and to determine where
further research is necessary.
If in doubt with a vet's diagnosis, don't hesitate to
ask for a second opinion, or a referral to another vet.
Take a serious interest in the care given to your basenji
to assure your dog's good health and reasonable vet
fees.
One of the best resources you have is your dog's
breeder, local basenji club, and the Basenji Club Of
America. In general, most basenji breeders are very
conscious of their dogs' health, and these organizations
have amassed hundreds of years experience in dealing
with matters pertaining to the health of the breed.
CHOOSING A VET
Choosing a vet for your basenji should be taken
very seriously, as if it were a family doctor. Misdiagnoses or improper treatment can cause serious
problems and expense for you and your basenji.
The breeder of your dog or other basenji breeders
may be able to recommend a vet in your area. Ask
your prospective vet if he has treated basenjis in the
past and if he has any current clients that own a
basenji. Ask for references and check on them.
Basenjis don't take kindly to poking and prodding
and have gained a reputation of being biters with some
vets, especially those who have treated some of the
earlier dogs. Your vet should treat your basenji with
respect for the dog that he is, exercising cautions, for a
basenji will bite when threatened or in pain, as will
many other dogs. Overly cautious and fearful vets will
be mistrusted by your basenji, and should be avoided.
Has this vet studied recent basenji research? If not,
provide him with a photocopy of this health section.
Its very important your vet be well informed of current
health problems. Often, Fanconi Syndrome is
misdiagnosed as diabetes, with the dog having a fatal
reaction to insulin. Or, on the other side, the vet
assumes the anemic dog must have Hemolytic Anemia
on the basis that this once was very common with the
breed.
A few basenjis are rather sensitive to foreign substances in their systems, such as flea bites,
tranquilizers, vaccines etc. The vet should always be
prepared to administer an antitoxin or antidote should
a reaction occur. He should never use substances that
cannot be immediately neutralized. Sedatives and
tranquilizers should be given only when absolutely
necessary and in small trial dosages. Allergies to flea
or other substances resulting in itching/scratching
cycles are often treated with steroids, which treats the
symptoms and not the underlying problem. This can
create additional problems with side effects.
FEEDING YOUR BASENJI
In addition to a loving home, someone to play with,
and a warm dry place to sleep your basenji will need
food and water. These necessities, along with a good
exercise program, will keep your dog happy and fit for
a long healthy life.
Maintain the same type of feed and schedule the
breeder or previous owner used. Introduction to a new
home is very stressful, especially to puppies, so many
times they will refuse to eat for the first 24 hours or so.
Avoid adding stress to the situation by changing the
type of food or the feeding schedule. Such changes
should be made gradually through the duration of a
week or more. Stay with a name brand that your
breeder or vet recommends. Avoid the generic brands
if possible.
A separate feeding dish for each dog is strongly
recommended, along with a water bowl large enough
to supply all your dogs. Several water bowls may be
used around the house and outside, in such places as
the kitchen, porch, fenced dog run, and even the bathroom. Many dogs enjoy drinking from the toilet bowl.
Drinking from the toilet bowl or any other place where
chemicals are added should be strongly discouraged.
Though you may not use such chemicals, you are
training your dog that this is an acceptable place to
29
drink. When visiting grandma or even next door, this
familiar drinking spot may become a bowl of poison!
very serious digestive problems such as explosive
diarrhea, malnutrition, and stomach ulcers.
Discourage your dog from drinking from puddles
that form near driveways and automobiles. Such water
may contain oil, gas, detergents, insecticides, or even
antifreeze, which has a tempting flavor that dogs like
very much. These puddles can be lethal depending on
what they contain, and the amount consumed. Do not
use insecticides, detergents, paints, or any other
chemicals around pet dishes without moving them first
and placing them back when the area is safe, with
fresh clean water and food. In the majority of
poisoning accidents, the owner inadvertently poisons
his own dog by using such chemicals around pet
dishes.
Do not give your basenji candies, pastries, cakes,
etc. These treats containing complex sugars serve no
nutritional value for your dog and may promote many
health problems, varying from tooth decay and gum
disease to kidney disorders. Two ounces of Chocolate
will make a 25 pound dog ill, and 16 ounces can be
fatal. Chocolate is very toxic to all animal life. Treat
your basenji to scrap meats or commercially prepared
treats such as 'Milk Bones', 'Beef Bites', or possibly
vegetables and fruits that your dog may take a liking
to.
Pet dishes should be cleaned regularly and made of
heavy ceramic or stainless steel, the latter being
preferred. Plastic bowls are acceptable, but your
basenji may regard these as toys and empty their contents just to be able to carry them off to his favorite
chewing spot.
Feeding should be done on a regular time schedule,
regardless of the number of feedings per day. This
allows the dog's digestive system to establish a biological clock to produce stomach acids, along with
periods of rest for the system. This timing is very
important in housebreaking because it helps to establish a regular time for elimination. An adult dog
should be fed once or twice daily. Puppies under six
months of age should be fed three times daily, then
twice daily until at least 12 months of age. The
amount and schedule should be adjusted to the weight
of the dog. Weigh your dog occasionally, to monitor
weight gain or loss. Ribs & hip bones should be felt
but not seen.
Treats should be given sparingly. Many treats are
too rich for the dog's digestive system. Excessive
amounts of these treats may cause dietary imbalance,
loose stools, and foul smelling flatus. This can lead to
30
There is no evidence to suggest that the addition of
vitamins and minerals in excess of the dog's requirements has any beneficial effect. Do not try to diagnose
nutrient deficiency or problems with the dog's
utilization of a nutrient. Many nutrient deficiencies or
over supplementation of a nutrient may be the cause of
that poor coat or weak joint. If you suspect such a
problem, consult your vet.
Rawhide is a treat all basenjis enjoy. Many
basenjis devour rawhide too much at one time. It can
be very dangerous, becoming lodged in the dog's
throat. If you do treat your basenji to rawhide, do not
leave the dog unattended. Be prepared to use your
index and middle fingers to remove any large pieces
that may become lodged in his throat. Avoid bleached
rawhides which are softer and more quickly devoured.
A basenji may try to swallow the stick shapes or small
chips whole after only a brief chew, leading to choking
or possible puncture of throat, stomach, or intestines.
Use large knotted bone shapes and throw out small
pieces that they may chew off. Limit the time that
your basenji may chew on the rawhide to 30 supervised minutes. Some would chew on rawhide until the
entire bone was devoured if given the chance. Excessive rawhide is not good for the diet.
Do not underestimate the strength of a basenji jaw.
Fresh bones of any size (even the largest knuckles) are
subject to slivering under the basenji jaw. These
slivers may puncture the throat, stomach, or intestines,
or at least cause great discomfort to your dog. Those
bones which have been baked (fired) until rock hard
can cause excessive wear on the teeth, or even break a
tooth. Many breeders no longer give their basenjis
bones or rawhide. If you should treat your basenji to
these, use extreme caution. See article on 'chewing'.
Example of
schedule
a working person puppy
6:45 Wake up and potty
7:00 Play time, physical exercise
7:30 Feeding: allow to eat for 20 minutes
7:50 Potty
8:00 Crate
Saturday and Sunday
12:00 Wake up and potty
12:15 Play time, physical exercise
1:15 Feed light meal: allow 10 minutes to eat
1:25 Potty
1:30 Crate
5:30 Potty
5:45 Play time, physical exercise
6:45 Potty
7:00 Feeding: Allow 20 minutes to eat
7:20 Potty
7:30 Crate
9:30 Potty
9:45 Play time
10:45 Potty
10:50 Feeding: allow 20 minutes to eat
11:10 Potty and crate for the night
FIRST AID
First aid is the
immediate
treatment
prior
to
seeking
professional
help.
Knowing how and when
to apply first aid may
save your Basenji's life
and reduce expensive
emergency care.
First aid begins by
buying a good reference
book and reading it!
Study the methods and
techniques of first aid.
The "AKC Book of
Dogs" has a good
section on first aid, and
other books are listed in
the bibliography. Keep
these reference books at
a convenient location at all times.
Establish a regular veterinarian as soon as possible
- don't wait for your dog's yearly vaccination. If the
dog you bought is fully vaccinated, check with your
breeder on which vaccines the dog has received and
when the next ones are due. You should bring your
dog to a reliable veterinarian within 6 weeks of purchasing him, even if only a checkup is in order. An
injured dog responds much better when handled by
someone he already knows, so don't wait until an
emergency occurs for the doctor to establish a relationship with your basenji.
Heat stroke is very common in today's fast
paced society. The number one culprit is the car.
Always leave the windows - all windows - down one
inch when leaving your pet in the car. It is quite
possible for a dog to suffocate in a car even when it is
cold outside. When the temperature reaches 60
degrees, park the car in the shade, and pay close
attention that the car remains shaded. Check on the
dog frequently and give him some water. When the
temperature reaches 70 degrees, Do not leave him in
the car. Leave him at home on these warm days if he
cannot be outside. A car, even with all windows
down, can warm up inside to 80 plus degrees. A dog
inside a crate can continue to generate this heat to 90
plus degrees through his own body temperature and,
not being able to cool himself down, creates a deadly
situation of heat stroke.
If you must confine your dog on these warm days,
place his well ventilated crate outside in the shade.
Check on him frequently and give him water to drink.
If the day should warm up to 80 degrees plus in the
shade, or if your basenji pants when in shade, do not
confine him. He needs as much air ventilation as
possible; he may hyperventilate due only to confinement. This is when he's better off left at home in the
coolness of your house.
The signs of heat stroke are: lethargy, limpness,
heavy panting, hyperventilation, frantic attempts to
find shade or escape from confinement. It doesn't take
long for heat stroke to become fatal if not treated.
Dogs that are dehydrated are far more susceptible to
heat stroke. Make sure he has water.
Treatment for heat stroke is simple and must be
immediate. Immerse him in water as soon as possible.
A mud puddle will do. Roll him in it, wetting his coat
and feet; evaporative cooling will do the rest. If there
is no water around, spray him down with that cold 6
pack of soda you may have. It's very important to cool
him down as soon as possible, any way possible. If the
poor dog should be locked in a car, don't hesitate to
knock out the window with a rock. No truly
responsible pet owner values that window over his pet.
Do not throw him into deep water. Many heat stroke
victims are on the verge of unconsciousness, and may
drown. Once the dog is cooled down, offer him small
drinks of water, 1/4 cup approximately for a 25 pound
dog, every 15 minutes or so. Do not allow him to
drink freely. He may bloat himself, and this can be
deadly.
Hypothermia is the reverse of heat stroke, but
the treatment is similar. Hypothermia usually strikes
the young pup or the weak dog. This occurs when the
dog is exposed to sudden extreme cold or prolonged
31
cold. It is often accompanied by shock. Hypothermia
occurs when the body has failed to maintain proper
temperature. Signs of hypothermia setting in are
exhibited in shivering dogs that are cold to the touch.
These dogs will lie tightly curled, attempting to maintain their body temperature. This is followed by
lethargic movement and possible unconsciousness.
Respiratory and or cardiovascular arrest is soon to follow, resulting in death.
Treatment is simple, but must be immediate. Warm
the dog by immersing him in warm water, 85-90
degrees. Do not use hot water, as it will be a shock for
the dog. If there is no warm water around, place him
next to your skin under heavy clothing. warm him in
any way possible, as soon as possible. Warming
should be gradual: avoid heaters and other appliances
that will heat him up too fast, creating severe shock.
Once warm, the dog should show motion responses.
Rub down the dog with a dry towel to generate friction
heat after first warming him with water or your body
heat. Don't rub too hard, for cold blood vessels are
easily damaged. Any dog which has experienced heat
stroke or hypothermia should be taken to a vet as soon
as possible after first aid is given.
Accidents. The #1 cause of basenji deaths is the
auto. Basenjis have no regard for the moving auto,
and those who have attempted to teach them respect
usually end up with fatal results. Don't let your dog run
loose.
If your dog gets hit by a car, don't panic! Quick,
decisive action is necessary to prevent further injury. If
the dog is still on his feet and moving around,
approach him with extreme care. Call him by name,
but most likely he will not recognize you due to the
shock of the accident or the pain he's now suffering.
Be ready to wrap a shirt, towel, or anything around his
jaw to prevent him from biting. He may even bite
himself in the confusion.
Once subdued, reassure him he's okay. To avoid
possible further injury, place a board, jacket, blanket,
or anything similar under him, lifting him in it by the 4
corners. Get help to carry him, if possible. Be very
careful to not move him more than necessary. Keep
him calm by talking to him. Don't allow him to thrash
around, and get him to a vet as soon as possible.
Unless there is massive bleeding, or getting him to a
vet will take too much time, do not try to treat his
injuries; leave this to the professionals.
Keep a first aid manual and kit around your house,
and bring them along when traveling with your dog.
Treat the dog only for those injuries which can't
wait for the care of a veterinarian. Write down the
name of your vet, his phone number and address.
Also include an emergency center phone number and
32
address to refer to when your vet may be closed. Keep
this in your first aid kit and by your phone. In the
confusion, this information is easily forgotten.
POISONING
You must protect your basenji against accidental
poisoning much as you would a child. Before bringing
your basenji home, take a tour of your house and
garage, and poison-proof by storing all potential poisons, such as cleaning chemicals, rat poisons, etc., in
locked childproof cupboards or on too-high-to-reach
shelves or cupboards. Remember, basenjis love to
drink from the toilet, so don't use bowl cleaning
chemicals.
Basenjis also love to lick their paws, so anything
they walk through could be potentially toxic (slug bait,
antifreeze, etc.). Chocolate is toxic to dogs and should
not be fed. Also, Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Anacin 3)
and Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) are toxic to dogs and
should not be given. Aspirin is OK, but you should
check with your vet before administering any medication to your dog.
A large number of plants, including many common
house and garden plants are toxic to dogs as well as
humans. The list is far too long to include here. A
good suggestion is to request a list of toxic plants from
your local poison control center, or from your vet, or
consult a good veterinary manual. Basenjis are
"grazers" so you will need to supervise and make sure
your basenji does not nibble the house or garden
plants. Decorative plants can be placed in hanging
baskets or on high shelves. A fenced play- run area
with no plants is a good idea for your basenji. Exercise close supervision on outings.
If you suspect your basenji may have ingested a
poisonous plant or substance, try to keep him quiet and
get to your vet immediately.
UNDESIRABLE CHEWING AND
POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES
Veteran basenji owners are fully aware of the
notorious habit of chewing on attractive parts of
reachable objects or anything unattached. The occasional eaten pen, pencil, clothing, soft dog bed or crate
edges often seem to have no harmful effects. One
owner's favorite remark, "It all comes out in the end,"
is always good for a laugh, and most basenji owners
have tales of colorful fecal deposits. Many ingested
objects are vomited before they have a chance to reach
the intestines.
But for one puppy, eating what he shouldn't had
more drastic effects. The little fellow slept well during
the drive home from a dog show and had a good nap
upon arrival. He wanted and ate dinner, but lost that
later in the evening. He started acting as if he needed
to relieve his bowels, but was unsuccessful. Morning
brought a trip to the vet. He had no temperature. A
day of barium X-rays revealed a slow intestinal track,
but an open one. But by now the puppy was in obvious pain, experiencing continual intestinal cramping,
and still unable to relieve himself.
Late that night, his surgery began. During a 3 hour
surgery, a one foot section of his intestines was
removed, as well as another 6 inch section further
along. How could this have happened?
After trying different scatter rugs or floor mats in
the kitchen, where the puppies spent the majority of
their time, the puppy's owners (basenji owners and
breeders with 13 years of experience) were using
rubber-backed mats of supposedly tightly woven rug
fibers. Oh sure, they nibbled the edges, but they never
tore off large hunks of the rugs. However, these tiny
pieces of backing with connected, running fibers had
slowing collected in intestinal pockets and attracted
even more "debris" - various little pieces of nonfood
items. All this time, the intestines were continually
trying to dissolve and pass this foreign material.
Result -breakdown of tissue.
It was uncertain whether the puppy could survive
the shock of the operation even though he had survived the actual surgery. The three hours following
surgery were as tense as the three in surgery. His
owner worked for her vet, and was able to be there
when he awoke and help him through the shock
period. He had one of the best vets in the area. His
knowledge and expertise were the principal reasons
this puppy survived.
Throughout the healing process, the puppy was in
periodic pain; at first the pain was constant. At the
beginning of his recovery, he did not want to eat -when he was finally off IV's and allowed to eat normally. He lost drastic amounts of weight. He
progressed from mushy special diets to quality canned
food to thoroughly dissolved dry food mixed with
canned. He ate tiny, frequent meals. Each meal was
followed by severe intestinal cramps and pain, as his
shortened intestines tried to do their job. There were
months of virtually sleepless nights, for the puppy and
his humans. Specific exercises were a must in order to
prevent adhesions, stimulate blood flow, and encourage healing. But finally one night he was sleeping a
little easier, and one day he tried to play with his
active, joyful sisters. No one knew if he would ever
really be "normal" again, or if this was "as good as it
gets", but 8 months after the surgery, his people could
see that the days of pain and stress were fewer than
those without it.
But it wasn't all downhill from the surgery - you
see, this fellow was still a basenji. As his health
improved, so did his appetite, and his normal chewing
habits. His area was made even more "chew-proof"
than that of the other puppies, and someone was
always delegated to watch "Boo-Boo", as he became
known. One day, he and his mother destroyed the
hard plastic base of a soft dog bed. That time he got
medication that caused him to vomit and thus get rid
of anything that might be in his stomach before it
could reach his intestines. It is hard to believe, but 3
weeks later he was still occasionally vomiting pieces
of plastic.
"Boo-Boo" was a sweet, gentle, lovable and loving
puppy before all this happened. Remarkably, he is still
pretty much the same puppy. He is more defensive
with his peers than the others are. He expects preferential treatment from humans, because he had so much
attention for so long. He and his people are all working on this. During "Boo-Boo's" illness, he would be
crated to get over his occasional snits or panics. The
door of the crate is left open when it's not in use, and
now when "Boo-Boo" throws a tantrum, he runs into
the crate where he can scream or fuss without harm or
punishment. Sometimes his owners remind him, by
saying "Boo-Boo, go crate yourself." He does.
Some people will wonder why he wasn't just "put
down". This kind of decision is seldom as easy as it
looks to an outsider. There was no way of knowing up
front the severity of his problem, and the length and
difficulty of his recovery. Would they go through it
again? YES! His life and his safety were their
responsibility, and he did survive. He is a marvelous
little fellow. It was fun to see him experience his first
Christmas, a year late, and to watch him learn to play
-- free of pain. ["Boo-Boo" has since earned a Junior
Courser title in lure coursing. Though he’s not fast, he
enjoys being able to run free and chase the “bunny”].
The vet who treated him said this puppy's experience was the worst of its type he had seen. This trait
and problem are not specific to our breed, and a simple
operation is usually sufficient to remove the ingested
object. Usually the stories are humorous, and the
solutions relatively simple, although expensive.
33
Why go through such an ordeal, however, if you
can prevent it? Learn from this owners experience:
Keep toddler toys away from dogs. They are small,
often smell good and are too often within the dog's
reach. Keep an eye on your dog. A quiet basenji is
not necessarily a sleeping basenji. Pick up around
your house. Control and restrict your dog's activity
area. He doesn't need the run of the entire house.
Usually, he wants to be with you anyway. He's an
intelligent, inquisitive, active, agile, healthy animal.
That's why we love our breed, isn't it? Protect him...
and while you're at it, you'll preserve your belongings.
Not such a bad deal!
PREVENTIVE BREEDING
The female Basenji's estrus cycle is very unique in
that the majority of females have but one 'season' per
year. A few basenji bitches will have more than one
season a year, but this usually occurs when the basenji
has been raised with other breeds having two or more
cycles a year. Also unique is the uncanny timing that
the basenji exhibits, with the majority coming into
season in late summer to early fall. You'll probably
notice your dog was born in the month of November,
December, or January. By subtracting the 63 day (plus
or minus 2 days) gestation you can determine the time
of year the dam of your dog was mated. Odds are that
your bitch will continue this inherited pattern.
A puppy bitch's first season can occur as early as
six months of age or as late as a year. No basenji
should be bred on the first season. They are not mentally or physically mature enough to cope with the
stress of having puppies or even the stress of mating.
Some puppies will exhibit a false cycle at sexual
development to be followed up with a fertile season in
a few months.
Signs of your basenji being in season are, in varying degrees, mood changes, flirting with males,
swelling of the vulva, vaginal discharge: beginning
dark red, and the bitch repeatedly cleaning the area. It
is quite possible that a basenji with a strong instinct to
keep herself clean, along with a very little swelling
and discharge, could complete her cycle without you
knowing it. Talk to your dog's breeder about these
possibilities, as such behavior is usually exhibited in
your dog's ancestors.
False pregnancies are a common phenomenon
among basenjis. Due to hormonal changes, she may
exhibit weight gain, mild breast swelling, and nesting
behavior. No treatment is generally needed for a false
pregnancy unless there is actual milk production.
Preventive breeding may be accomplished in many
ways. These include surgical spaying or neutering,
drug contraceptives for either sex, and isolation. Sur-
34
gical spaying or neutering is the best way to prevent
unwanted pups. Spaying the female is the removal of
the ovaries. The uterus should also be removed to
prevent possible infection later on. Neutering is the
removal of both the male dog's testicles. Dogs with
one or both of the testes undescended should be neutered. This is a serious fault that you should not allow
the male dog to pass to future generations. Removal
of the recessed testicle is necessary to complete the
neutering and to assure the dog's good health. Cutting
of the tubes (vasectomy) is effective but does not have
any health or behavioral benefits and is not recommended.
"When should I have my dog fixed?" This is a
subject of a lot of opinion. Puppies that have not
sexually matured may be 'fixed' to eliminate some of
the bad habits of an adult dog, such as marking,
roaming, and fighting. This is not always the case in
an inherently dominant dog, (referred to as 'ALPHA'
male), which may continue to display these behavior
traits, even though neutered.
A personality change occurs when a female has her
first season or when a male becomes sexually active.
It is not necessary for a dog to go through this
personality change to become the so called 'complete
dog'. If you are pleased with the personality of your
dog prior to sexual maturity, why take a chance on an
unpredictable personality change?
This likewise
applies to the old fable that a female should have a litter of pups prior to being 'fixed', to make her that
'complete dog'. There is no doubt that a dog's personality changes during these stages but the change is not
always for the better. A female may become protective of her home after she has experienced having pups
or your male may find roaming sexually satisfying.
Spaying and neutering are permanent and irreversible. Before spaying or neutering, make sure it is
in accord with any conditions the breeder may have
placed on the sale of the dog. Altered dogs cannot be
exhibited in conformation at AKC dog shows. The
American Sighthound Field Association and the AKC
tracking and obedience trials do permit altered dogs to
compete.
If you find spaying or neutering not practical, due
to future breeding prospects or a conformation show
career, there are two other means to prevent breeding.
There is an oral contraceptive drug currently available
on the market for both sexes. Discuss possible side
effects with your veterinarian.
The most widely used method to prevent mating
when spaying is not practical is confinement and isolation for the female when in season. Females in
season require extra care in confinement and must be
isolated from all males. Your backyard will not be
safe for her unless you have the ultimate fence.
Remember, you are now trying to keep other dogs out,
and all the dogs in the neighborhood have probably
picked up her scent. Their ability to get in may be far
greater than your basenji's ability to get out.
If you don't have a fully enclosed dog run or that
ultimate fence, walk your bitch on a leash (even if it is
in your back yard). Be prepared to pick her up should
another dog approach her. It only takes seconds for a
mating to take place, and a tie is not necessary for
conception to take place.
Avoid walking her around the neighborhood. She
will mark everything in sight, laying down a scent to
attract all males. You just might have a few dogs
maintaining a 24 hours vigil at your doorstep. Don't
be surprised if one tries to sneak in when the door is
opened.
The basenji estrus cycle occurs over a 30 day
period, beginning with first signs of discharge,
appearing dark red in color. Over approximately 14
days, this discharge will change, becoming bright red,
eventually becoming a translucent red/clear. Many
new dog owners associate this red discharge as the
season and once it disappears the season is over. This
concept of a season is far from the truth. Upon
approximately the 14th day, with an indication of clear
discharge, the dog is at its most fertile period. Most
breedings take place between the 14th to the 20th day,
but may occur as early as the 9th day and as late as the
27th day.
It may be difficult to be sure of the first day of the
season. Do not try to count off 9 days before isolating
her. Isolate on the first sign for 30 days. If the season
does not follow the pattern started, it may have been
interrupted by a trauma or stress, such as shipping,
which can extend the cycle. Cycles that are interrupted fall off prematurely, but may continue to peak
once the stress or trauma has passed, extending it
beyond 30 days. If you feel this may have occurred,
have the bitch examined by a vet. A vet will be able to
determine by doing a smear if the cycle has finished.
It is a minor cost compared to problems of an
unwanted litter. Any time a season extends beyond 30
days, have your bitch examined by a vet to assure the
health of the dog.
If you are placed in the position of expecting an
unwanted litter, there are termination drugs a vet can
administer. These must be given as soon as possible hopefully within 24 hours after the mating occurs.
Talk to your vet about the use of these drugs. There
are many possible side affects. Drugs are not 100 percent effective, with litters born regardless of their use.
Should you find your basenji expecting an
unwanted litter, talk to your dog breeder or the reference listed at the beginning of this manual. Decisions
on the future of the pups are a matter of ethics.
35
Basenji Activities
ing. Do not enter an all breed AKC licensed show
"cold turkey"! If your puppy's breeder cannot help
you, contact someone via your veterinarian. Any of
these should be able to direct you to someone who
breeds and shows show dogs (any breed will do) for
information. When you have found a handling class,
you can get input on handling and training techniques,
proper show leads, grooming tips, as well as pre-show
experience for you and your puppy.
Above all, aim at having a good time at the dog
show. Don't expect all the other exhibitors to be
overly friendly and show the same pride and interest in
your puppy that you have. A lot of exhibitors are
uptight before judging, concentrating on their own
dog, and watching the judge's ring procedure with the
dogs already in the ring. After judging is the time for
chit-chat, griping, and congratulating the winners.
Earning a Championship otherwise
known as "FINISHING"
SHOWING YOUR BASENJI IN
CONFORMATION
Basenjis don't all look alike, and individual
breeders have their own idea of the ideal conformation
to the standard of the breed. What is "pet quality" in
one person's backyard is "show quality" in another's.
Interpretation of the standard varies greatly. You enter
a show for one judge's opinion, and if you don't like
what he/she does, don't enter under said judge again.
Most exhibitors are willing to give a judge a second
chance, but not all. It's a good idea to keep a record of
what each judge does for each of your dogs as well as
the type of dog that they seem to like.
The breeder you got your puppy from usually can
supply you with the names and addresses of the dog
show superintendents who are in your local area.
These superintendents supply the premium lists, with
entry blanks, for shows. If you need assistance in filling out your entry blanks, ask your breeder or local
club member.
Handling classes and fun matches are the best
methods for preparing you and your puppy for show-
36
A dog or bitch must accumulate a total of 15 points
to become an AKC Champion of Record. These points
are earned at AKC- licensed shows by going "Winners
Dog" or "Winners Bitch". The number of points
earned at any given show is dependent upon the
number of dogs competing. The total of 15 points must
include at least two "majors", which are 3, 4, or 5
point wins, and these major wins must be under two
different judges. A dog or bitch which completes its
championship will be so notified by AKC in the form
of a Championship Certificate, and will be entitled to
use the designation Champion ("Ch.") before its registered name.
SHOW TRAINING
Begin training your puppy as soon as he's settled
into your home. Begin standing exercises by placing
your hand under his chin. Tell him to "stand stay".
Hold the pose for a moment, then release with praise,
"such a good dog". Don't be concerned about foot
placement or the like - to get a basenji pup to stand
motionless even for a moment is quite an accomplishment. Make it.
fun, no corrections with a young dog. You want to
maintain a happy "I enjoy this" attitude. As time goes
by, increase the durations, but not too long. Touch his
feet, tail, topline, go over his entire body.
feet to a width identical to the width of the chest. Now,
holding this pose, examine the body & teeth.
Take your time, don't rush, even the most amiable
puppy might take six or more months to achieve perfection. Puppies in shows aren't expected to be perfect
in this training. Even some young adults haven't mastered the standing pose & examination yet.
Leash training for show begins with a good leash,
referred to as a lead. Many types of show leads are
available. Recommended for puppy training is a 1/4"
diameter soft nylon choke with a fine 4' long lead
(nylon, Cordahide, 3/16" fine leather). These leads
should only be used for show, and should be different
in feel & weight than ones used for everyday walking.
Begin examining his teeth by lifting the upper lip at
the front of the jaw, approaching his face from the
side. Once he is performing this freely, move your
hand over his head. Many basenjis object to having a
hand over the head. It's important to train your puppy
to accept this, for it will happen in the ring. In
attempting to examine your Basenji's teeth, you'll
probably find controlling his head without a collar
quite a challenge.
Take a soft nylon choke collar or loop show lead,
and place it under his chin right behind the ears where
the head meets the neck. Hold this in a loop fashion,
with enough slack in the loop to grasp it with your
fingers. Don't strangle the dog, the intent is control of
the head. Practice getting you and your puppy used to
the collar placement by doing stand-stays before doing
examinations of the body or teeth.
Remember to keep the lessons very short and have
lots of fun. There are no wrongs here. Don't bore or
frustrate your puppy. Practice on the floor, grass yard,
and on stable tables at eye level such as the kitchen
table or a picnic table outside. Place a carpet, mat or
towel on slippery surfaces. A table in your yard for
your basenji to perch on can be a great asset. Basenjis
love to perch, standing or sitting and it is easy to
encourage. Make sure the table is stable and solid.
Begin by walking your dog slowly to one side or
the other. Coax him along with bait, call his name
("puppy, puppy" etc.). Be gentle - don't drag him.
Keep the lead taut, by gathering the remaining slack in
your hand. The leash should be taut enough so the pup
can't put his nose to the ground. Use bait to help keep
his head up and looking forward. Move him slowly up
and down a sidewalk or yard. In this exercise, pattern
training is established. This is where differences in a
show lead and your general walking leash play a role.
After pattern training a while, your puppy will
recognize the differences in these two leads. He will
know what your expectations of him are when a show
lead is on. The showing of a dog's movement is done
in trotting gait. Practice controlling this gait at a slow
speed, maintaining a straight line for both you and the
dog. Sidewalk lines and parking lot stripes are very
helpful. Dogs are usually gaited off your left side, but
you may be required to move him on your right in
some situations, so practice both.
As your puppy gets older and is easily lead. You
may wish to use a fine jewelry link choke instead of
Use food to reward the dog for being able to place
the feet or hold longer poses, but only give bait to your
basenji when his ears are up. There's a very fine art to
baiting a dog for expression and alert poses. It's best
to seek handling training to learn the baiting
techniques. This is not a must requirement of home
training for a puppy.
The final achievement is to be able to place your
puppy in a four point stance, with his rear feet set
slightly wider than the front, and hocks perpendicular
to the surface. This is the portion of the rear leg just
above the foot. Front feet should be set directly below
the shoulder, perpendicular to the surface. Set the front
37
nylon. Remember, these are of light construction and
are not intended for lead pops or yanking your dog
along. Light lead pops with a choke may be used with
an older dog whose lead training has been previously
established. Refrain from doing this with a green
puppy.
Remember to keep all show training positive, fun,
and enjoyable for your puppy. Attitude is very important in the show ring. Even the finest of basenjis
would have a hard time winning in the show ring if he
exhibits what's called the "hung dog look".
The exercises discussed are intended for home
preparation for dog showing, but are a benefit for any
dog, to be shown or not.
Show training should also include fun matches
(informal dog shows for training purposes) usually put
on by dog clubs, organized puppy practices by breed
clubs and breeders, and dog show handling classes.
These are necessary for the socialization and acclimatization of your puppy to the dog show environment.
Have fun and best wishes to a winning team.
LURE COURSING
of the hunt through the sport of lure coursing. We
merely replace the live game with an artificial lure tied
to a string and pulled along a random course through
an open field. Basenjis are hunting dogs of the native
African tribes, and they are oblivious to (or good
naturedly ignore!) the fact that the lure is only a white
plastic bag.
Why should I lure course my basenji? First, he'll
probably love it. Even the most pampered and dignified of sighthounds can rarely resist the opportunity to
chase and catch something -- anything! Second, it's a
great way to keep him healthy and fit. A basenji in
proper shape is trim and muscular, with heart, lungs,
and circulation in peak condition. Third, it gives you a
chance to evaluate him in a way that the show ring
cannot. More and more of the finest basenjis are
earning championships both in the field and in the
ring.
There are two separate organizations that grant
titles to dogs competing in Lure Course events: the
ASFA and the AKC.
The American Sighthound Field Association
(ASFA) is an organization of sighthound fanciers
dedicated to the common goal of preserving and further developing the natural beauty, grace, speed, and
coursing skill of the sighthound. They promote a
recognized system of lure field trials for sighthounds
throughout the United States.
By competing in these lure field trials your basenji
can earn the titles of Field Champion (F.Ch.) and Lure
Courser Of Merit (LCM). The Basenji became eligible
to compete in lure field trials in 1979 under ASFA
rules. The breeds eligible to compete include Afghan
Hounds, Basenjis, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan
Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Pharaoh Hounds,
Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds,
and Whippets.
Tally ho! Three basenjis spring from the slip, running, turning, straining every muscle to catch a
tumbling lure as enthusiastically as their ancestors did
to catch live game not so many generations ago. It is a
breathtaking spectacle -- beautiful, healthy hounds
exerting themselves to the limit in an activity similar
to the one for which they were bred.
Coursing is a sport as old as the first relationship
between hound and man. However, in the days gone
by it was not done for amusement, but to get food or
eliminate predators. In these gentler times, coursing
live game is no longer necessary for survival. We can
still give our basenjis (and ourselves) the excitement
38
In actual competition, the dogs run in groups of
twos or threes (they wear colored blankets so the
judges can tell them apart), and they are scored subjectively and objectively in the following five
categories: Enthusiasm, Follow (How well the dog
follows the lure), Speed (however, they are not timed),
Agility, and Endurance. Dogs can be excused, dismissed, or disqualified for not running, interfering
with another dog, or fighting with another dog. The
dogs earn points according to how many dogs they
defeat. The dogs with the four best qualifying scores
each earn points at a trial. A dog must earn 100 points
to become a Field Champion.
The AKC recognized lure coursing as an official sport
in 1991 and began to organize their own system of
trials and titles.
Under the AKC rules, a sighthound may earn a 'JC'
Junior Courser title by completing a course alone at
two different tests. A 'SC' Senior Courser title is
earned by completing a course running with other dogs
at four different trials. An ‘MC’ Master Courser title is
earned by completing a course running with other dogs
an additional twenty five times. A ‘FCH' Field
Champion and ‘LCX’ Lure Courser Excellent title are
awarded by earning enough points and placements in
competition with other dogs. The trial procedures are
similar to ASFA but the titles earned have a
completely different set of requirements.
The Evergreen Basenji Club is a member of ASFA
and is approved to hold both ASFA and AKC lure
field trials. There are clubs all over the country which,
like EBC, hold practice runs for puppies (older than
four months), dogs training for competition (must be
one year old to compete), and any dog that just loves
to run.
PRACTICES: Basenjis may be brought out to their
first practice at any age. Bring your dog out to watch
the other dogs run and see the lure before it is his turn.
Depending on how enthusiastic your dog seems, you
can begin on a long straightaway of maybe half of the
course. Praise and encourage your basenji profusely
for any interest he shows in the lure. Play rag games
with your basenji before and after coming to a lure
practice. Play plastic bag-on-the-end-of-the-string type
games to acquaint your dog with chasing things that
move on the ground.
Your basenji may or may not chase the lure in the
beginning. It may take several practices before the idea
"clicks" in his mind. He may feel insecure being let
off the leash for the first time. Keep bringing him out
to watch, play the rag games at home. Do not discipline your basenji for grabbing or tearing up the lure,
or for staying with the lure when the lure has stopped.
Encourage your dog to "get the bunny".
Many basenji owners are apprehensive about letting
their dogs off the leash. This is understandable, but be
reassured that we have never lost a dog at a practice or
trial. With all the excitement of the people, dogs, and
lure, any wandering basenji usually stays close enough
to be bribed in with some food. Remember, NEVER
scold your basenji when he comes to you no matter
how exasperated you are when you finally catch him.
If you do, he probably won't let himself be caught the
next time. Greet him with praise and a treat so he will
be willing to come to you and be 'caught'. Be ready at
the finish point to retrieve your basenji as soon as he
comes in on the lure. Use lots of praise.
Do not feed your dog a full meal before running.
Bring some water for your dog, but cool him down by
'walking out' after running, and give him water after he
has relaxed. Don't run your dog when he is tired. Stop
a course or two before he runs out of steam.
Training for competition: Before a dog is ready to
run with any competition on the course, he should let
nothing distract his attention from the lure. Hounds
should complete the course alone many times at
different practice events before running with any other
hound!!!
The most critical period in the hound's preparation
for being a lure courser is his first few courses with
other hounds. A novice hound can easily be ruined by
a hound interfering with its course. The novice hound
may be confused and distracted from the lure and
begin playing with the other hound, or stop running
completely. When a hound has a bad experience when
first starting to lure course, it is sometimes impossible
to erase that memory from the hound's mind.
39
In some instances, when a dog shows some interest
in the lure but does not complete the course, it may
help to run him a few times with an experienced runner.
One proven method of training a clean running dog
(one that does not interfere) is to run the dog muzzled
the first several times he runs with another dog. In the
majority of dogs who are 'on the lure' the muzzle does
not bother them while they are in pursuit. Lightweight
racing muzzles are suitable for practice and are legal
to use in actual competition. Let your dog have
several 'clean' runs before entering in actual
competition. You run the risk of a dismissal or disqualification if your dog interferes with another dog
while coursing.
Make sure you are ready at the finish to retrieve
your basenji as soon as the lure has stopped. Most
basenjis are not willing to share the prize they have
worked so hard to catch.
Special considerations for puppies: Bring your
puppy out to practice as soon as he has had his shots.
This is a great opportunity for socialization. A puppy
under about six months should only be run on short,
straight, 50 yard dashes because he lacks the attention
span and muscle development to follow the lure
around a turn or run further. At this age you can run
along with him and play 'get the bunny'. As your
puppy gets the idea, you can gradually increase the
distance and the number of corners he must follow. A
puppy under about six months should not run more
than 200 yards. This is the length of an average practice course. In actual competition, the course is 500 to
1200 yards. Always run your puppy alone. He can't
concentrate on the lure when he has a playmate, too.
Remember to praise, praise, praise your puppy's
interest in the lure.
OBEDIENCE TRIALS
Basenjis are not a common sight in the obedience
ring. They do have a reputation for not being an easy
breed to train. However, with a lot of study and education on your part, and some consistent work training
your basenji, you can establish a unique relationship
between you and your basenji that can be extremely
rewarding.
There is much discouragement out there for a
novice basenji trainer. Experienced obedience trainers
may tell you to find an easier breed to train. Even
some basenji breeders may tell you that basenjis are
not meant to be obedience trained. This is a decision
and commitment you will have to make for yourself
and your dog.
40
There is much support if you do decide to train in
obedience. Many basenjis have done very well in the
obedience ring, earning advanced titles. Trainers are
realizing the intelligence and stubbornness of the
Basenji, and how quickly they get bored with the basic
obedience routines.
All dogs should learn how to walk nicely on a leash
and sit still when told to. They make much better pets
to live with if they can. A basic obedience class will
help you train your basenji in these basic exercises
regardless of your intent to compete. To compete in
obedience requires more precision in these exercises,
and for the dog and handler to work as a team. Try to
find an instructor who is experienced in working with
hounds or terriers and is willing to work closely with
you to solve problems.
You will find that different techniques work better
for different dogs. You can begin training your dog at
any age. They are never too old to start, nor too
young. For young puppies, many trainers recommend
that you follow the guidelines outlined in the 'Super
Dog' article. Use lots of positive reinforcement. Do
not expect perfection at an early age. Do your sit-stays
and down-stays for only a few seconds (a puppy's
attention span is not very long). Praise profusely when
puppy sits on your command. Make it a fun game!
Experienced basenji trainers recommend that you don't
start the precision work needed for competition until
the dog is well over a year old - but do start training
earlier.
With an independent, super-alert, curious basenji, a
prime problem is getting and keeping his attention.
One technique found exceptionally useful is the longline exercise outlined in Koehler Method of Dog
Training.
With an adult basenji, it is recommended that you
work a few weeks with this long-line technique before
you take an obedience class. This will help you keep
your dog's attention even in a room full of distractions.
Another good manual full of training tips to keep your
dog's attention focused on you, to get high scores in
competition, is Beyond Basic Training. You may find
that the way to your Basenji's mind is through his
stomach. Be generous with the pup treats and praise
when he is first learning an exercise. This will make a
faster and more enthusiastic learner.
Your dog does not understand sustained displeasure. Don't moralize about your dog's behavior--he
doesn't. He does what his instincts and experience
dictate. Correct a goof and go on to something else.
Do not allow the instructor or any other 'stranger' to
give any harsh physical corrections to your basenji.
This can lead to fear of strangers that is difficult to
overcome. Do any physical corrections yourself.
Learn to observe your dog, to read why he makes a
mistake. The correction for a dog who is confused or
afraid is different from the correction used for a dog
that is distracted or one that feels he has a choice.
Knowing when to correct a dog can be more important
than knowing how to correct him.
Give your dog a 'leader' he can respect by being
patient, consistent, and fair. Couple this with praise- praise that is as sincere the thousandth time he does
what you want as it was the first time. Your result will
be a basenji that responds, at least most of the time,
with an eager desire to please--except for an occasional challenge, to make sure you still deserve to be
his pack leader!
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
The Canine Good Citizen Test is to demonstrate
that the dog can be trained to behave in the home, in
public places, and in the presence of other dogs. It is
not a competitive program, but a program of certification. In order to receive the title and certificate for
CGC, your dog must be able to pass ten tests which
demonstrate that the handler is in control of the dog
under conditions the dog is likely to encounter on a
daily basis. Tests are on a pass/fail basis only. The
tests can be done in any order, but the dog must pass
all ten to qualify for the CGC title.
1.
Accepting a Friendly Stranger.
2.
Sitting Politely for Petting.
3.
Appearance and Grooming.
4.
Walking on a Loose Leash - Out for a Walk.
5.
Walking Through a Crowd.
6.
Sit and Down on Command. Staying in Place.
7.
Praise/Interaction.
8.
Reaction to Another Dog.
9.
Reaction to Distractions.
10. Supervised Isolation.
Before passing the dog, the evaluator also considers
the following:
1. Is this the kind of dog he or she would like to
own?
2. Is this the kind of dog that would be good with
children?
3. Is this the kind of dog that he or she would
welcome as a neighbor?
4. Is this the kind of dog that makes the owner
happy and isn't making someone else unhappy?
JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP
If your basenji has a young master or mistress, they
may wish to participate in Junior Showmanship. JS
Competition, a part of most AKC shows, and fun
matches, is an opportunity for your youngster to learn
to show his dog in conformation style. The Junior is
judged on his ability to handle and present his dog,
rather than on the merits of the dog. Competition is in
four classes:
Novice Junior - for juniors age 10 and under 14
who have had less than 3 wins.
Open Junior - for juniors age 10 and under 14
who have had 3 previous wins in the Novice
Class.
Novice Senior - for juniors age 14 and under
18 who have had less than 3 wins.
Open Senior - for juniors age 14 and under 18
who have had 3 previous wins in the Novice
Class.
Ribbons and sometime trophies are awarded for
first through fourth places in each class. Winners of
the four classes compete for Best Junior Showman and a rosette and trophy.
41
to enter limited Junior Showmanship competitions,
such as The Westminster Kennel Club Junior Limited
at Madison Square Garden, the ultimate experience of
a Junior Showman's career!
Junior Showmanship is a fun and educational
activity for youngsters, dogs, and their families. The
juniors learn how to present their dogs and themselves.
Both dog and Junior gain experience, poise and self
confidence. They meet and compete with youngsters
and their dogs of all breeds. Most of all, a spirit of
camaraderie and sportsmanship is developed among
the Juniors and their families.
Top winning Juniors compete for a variety of local
and national honors. The Basenji Club of America
recognizes top-winning juniors each year. Records and
achievements of all Basenji Junior Showmen are published in the Junior Showmanship column of the
quarterly Bulletin of the BCOA; the BCOA also presents a trophy or award to the Top Scoring Junior
Showman for each year. Juniors achieving a certain
number of Open Class wins during a year are eligible
42
Juniors are usually welcome at local breed club
classes, as well as many all breed training classes.
Occasionally, former Junior Showmen offer handling
classes especially for Juniors. Check with your breeder
or with Junior members of a local basenji club, who
will be glad to help your Junior get started.
About The Evergreen Basenji Club
Evergreen Basenji Club meetings are held usually
on the 3rd Friday of each month. At time of this
printing, the meeting place is the Lake City
Community Center in Seattle (or contact a club
member to verify current location). A business
meeting is followed by a fun and/or informative
program, refreshments, and fellowship. Meetings are
always open to guests and fellow basenji fanciers. For
information on upcoming meetings, ask your breeder.
The Evergreen Basenji Club, founded in 1964, is
the oldest existing local Basenji Club affiliated with
the Basenji Club of America. Its membership consists
of basenji breeders, owners, and fanciers from the
greater Seattle area. You are cordially invited to
become acquainted with the club and its activities.
Foremost among its many activities the EBC hosts
is the annual Specialty Show, Lure Trial, and Futurity
in August. The Specialty is an all Basenji conformation show, which also includes non-regular classes
such as Veteran, Stud Dog, Brood Bitch, Team and
Brace. The Lure Trial is also just for basenjis. The
Futurity, unique to the EBC, is a puppy 'sweepstakes':
a dam is nominated for the Futurity before her puppies
are whelped; then puppies are individually nominated
before 3 months of age and again before 5 months.
Only nominated pups may be finally entered in the
Futurity classes at the Specialty. Proceeds from
nomination and entry fees are split into cash prizes for
winners of the classes and Best in Futurity. Check
with your breeder to see if your puppy is Futuritynominated!
1) to encourage the selective breeding of
purebred Basenjis to preserve there natural qualities
and to conform to the AKC standard for the breed.
In anticipation of this August Specialty, the EBC
conducts informal puppy training classes, beginning
with good weather in the spring each year. These
classes are taught by showing members of the club.
Any and all basenjis and their owners -novice or
experienced - are welcome to join in the fun and
experience. Handlers, as well as puppies, learn ring
procedure, training and handling techniques.
2) to encourage and promote training and
showing of Basenjis.
EBC has a dedicated lure coursing contingent. The
club sponsors several AKC & ASFA trials each year.
3) to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog
shows, obedience trials, and lure trials.
To assist members and any interested basenji
fanciers in training their puppies and conditioning
their experienced dogs for lure coursing, the EBC
holds informal lure practice runs, beginning with good
weather in the spring. These practices are open to all
basenjis. Members assist novices in handling their
dogs at the course, training and conditioning at home,
introducing beginners to chase the lure, use of the
muzzle, and progression to running with other dogs.
The objectives of the Evergreen Basenji Club
include:
4) to conduct AKC sanctioned specialty shows
and ASFA & AKC sanctioned lure trials.
5) to encourage participation of breeders and
nonbreeders in club activities, to disseminate
information and conduct educational programs, and to
assist members with their problems in connection with
the breed.
In addition, the club and its meetings encourage
interchange of ideas and information, provide the
opportunity for camaraderie, fellowship, and
friendship among members and basenji fanciers.
The EBC also sponsors All Breed Fun Matches.
These are "practice" shows; no points towards
championships or titles are awarded. They are for fun
and experience for handlers and dogs alike. Matches
provide the opportunity to show just for fun and to
gain ring experience both in conformation and/or
obedience. They also provide the opportunity to learn
43
how a dog show works and to learn and assist in the
various aspects of running a dog show, such as taking
entries, ring set up, ring stewarding, etc.
To recognize achievements of members and their
basenjis, the EBC offers award certificates for the
preceding year, such as: Championship, Obedience
Title, Lure Field Championship, National Honor Roll Stud Dog or Brood Bitch, Top Ten placement, Top
Junior Showman - Novice and Open, Best in Show,
Best in Field, High in Trial, Sportsmanship
These are awarded at an Awards Banquet held in
March. Guests, as always, are welcome to come and
honor the newest champions and their proud owners.
Among its social activities, the club has an annual
Halloween party and a Christmas Potluck with gift
exchange. Occasionally, members and friends get
together with their basenjis for an informal Play Day,
featuring races, contests, and games for basenjis and
their handlers, along with a Gourmet Potluck.
Friends, guests and basenji fanciers are welcome at
all EBC activities and meetings. Come join the fun,
meet other fanciers and their basenjis, and introduce us
to your basenji!
THE EVERGREEN BASENJI CLUB,
CODE OF ETHICS
I will encourage a high standard of sportsmanship
by my behavior and will not engage in malicious or
intentionally misleading or exaggerated statements
about other breeders, their dogs or breeding practices.
I will help educate the public in the standard and
care of the breed.
I will maintain high standards in the care of my
dogs.
I will comply with all AKC rules and regulations
where they pertain, and will not use dogs for breeding
purposes that are not AKC registrable.
I will accept the AKC Basenji Standard as the
ideal towards which to direct all breeding activities.
No dog that I sell shall be AKC registered unless it
has, in my opinion, sufficient quality and soundness of
temperament to be used for breeding. Otherwise, I
will offer limited registration or the dog shall be, or
has been, sexually altered.
I will not sell dogs without true and full representation, nor willfully conceal known genetic faults nor
44
intentionally use misleading or untruthful statements
in selling and advertising.
I will not sell or donate dogs to commercial dog
wholesalers or pet shops.
I will help the purchaser in every reasonable way
for the life of the dog.
I understand that indiscriminate breeding may lead
to overpopulation and contribute materially to the
deterioration of the breed.
Reference Library
PERIODICALS
YOUR BASENJI – ISBN: 0877140413
COMPLETE DOG BOOK - AKC
THE BASENJI - monthly. Windigo Harbor Media P.O. box
182397 Shelby Twp, MI 48318 www.thebasenji.com E-mail:
info@thebasenji.com.
PURE-BRED DOGS AMERICAN KENNEL GAZETTE - AKC monthly. orderdesk@akc.org
FIELD ADVISORY NEWS (FAN) - Bi-monthly, official
publication of American Sighthound Field Association, $14/year
Vicky Clarke, Editor. 2234 Walnut Ave. McKinleyville, CA
95521
THE AKC COURSING NEWS published quarterly by the
American Kennel Club 5580 Centerview Drive; Raleigh, NC
27606-3390.
SIGHTHOUND REVIEW. bi monthly, PO Box 30430, Santa
Barbara, CA 93130
NEW KNOWLEDGE OF DOG BEHAVIOR - Pfaffenberger
MOTHER KNOWS BEST - THE NATURAL WAY TO TRAIN
YOUR DOG - Benjamin
KOEHLER METHOD OF DOG TRAINING – Koehler ISBN:
0876055773 On Amazon.com
TRAINING YOUR DOG - STEP BY STEP MANUAL - Volhard &
Fisher
SUPERTRAINING YOUR DOG – Loeb ; ISBN: 0671732099
DOG OWNERS HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK - Carlson &
Giffen ISBN: 0876052014 On Amazon.com
THE DOG IN ACTION - Lyon
THE NEW DOGSTEPS - Elliott
THE BULLETIN - official publication of the Basenji Club of
America, Inc. Quarterly, You need to join BCOA to get this
one! http://www.basenji.org/member.htm
THE DYNAMICS OF CANINE GAIT - Hollenbeck
DOGS USA - yearly, buy at your newsstand, a great resource
for articles and book publishers
FIRST AID FOR PETS - Robert W. Kirk DVM
THE WINDHOUND - bi-monthly, a publication on sighthounds.
4401 Zephyr ST., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-3299
BOOKS
The following books are available at your local bookstore or
thru Amazon.com. Another convenient source is through book
vendors at dog shows.
THE BASENJI STACKED AND MOVING - Robert Cole, ISBN:
0920939007 on Amazon.com
FULA-BASENJI FROM THE JUNGLE - Veronica TudorWilliams Order from THE BASENJI
THE BASENJI-OUT OF AFRICA TO YOU - Susan Coe. Doral
Publications, PO BOX 596, Wilsonville, OR 97070. $24.95.
Also on Amazon.com ISBN: 0944875424
CANDLE: A STORY OF LOVE & FAITH - Sally Ann Smith.
Doral Publications, PO BOX 596, Wilsonville, OR 97070. Also
on Amazon.com ISBN: 094487522X
AT HOME WITH YOUR BASENJI – BCOSW c/o Patricia L.
Bright, W. 1358 S. Shore DR., Palmyra WI 53156-9798. $5.00
THE COMPLETE BASENJI - Elspet Ford ISBN: 087605016X
On Amazon.com
HOW TO RAISE AND TRAIN A BASENJI - T.F.H.
CANINE TERMINOLOGY – Spira ISBN: 0876054165
BEYOND BASIC TRAINING - Bauman
PLAYTRAINING YOUR DOG - Burnham
THE ART OF RAISING A PUPPY - The Monks of New Skete
ISBN: 0316578398 On Amazon
BASENJI, DOG FROM THE
1882032004 On Amazon.com
PAST
–
Johnson
ISBN:
INTERNET
EBC web page: www.basenji.org/ebc
BCOA official web page: www.basenji.org
AKC official web page: www.akc.org
...or search on “basenji” to find many other Basenji sites.
FANCONI PROTOCOL
FANCONI DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL FOR
VETERINARIANS 2 page flyer available from
Steve Gonto, MMSc, PhD.-Med.Sc, 6 Cedar Point Drive,
Savannah, Georgia 31405
Or online at http://www.basenji.org/
Many thanks to Steve Gonto for researching this protocol.
HOW TO SHOW YOUR OWN DOG Virginia Tuck Nichols
45
index
Adenovirus, 23
Africa, 1, 4, 25
AKC, iv, 1, 4, 13, 25, 28, 31, 34, 36, 38,
39, 41, 43, 44
AKC Registration, 1
bark, 2, 3, 4
basic training, 14–17
belly button, 28
blaze, 2
blood sugar, 27
Brace, 43
breeding, 1, 25, 27, 29, 34, 35, 43, 44
brindle, 1, 2, 4
Brood Bitch, 43, 44
Canine Good Citizen, 41
championship, 36
Championship, 36, 44
characteristics, 4
chewing, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 17, 19, 20, 30,
18–20, 32, 33
chocolate, 30, 32
choosing a vet, 29
Coloboma, 26
color, 1, 2, 4
Coronavirus, 23, 24
crate soiling, 12, 14
crate training, 10–11
dehydration, 27
dewclaws, 4, 25
diabetes, 27, 29
diapers, baby, 3
digging, 5, 17, 18
discipline, 6, 13
DISCIPLINE, 7–8
Distemper, 23
dominant, 5
escape, 17–19
escaping, 10, 12, 31
estrus, 28, 34, 35
Evergreen Basenji Club, 43–44
false pregnancy, 34
Fanconi Syndrome, 27, 29
faults, 4, 44
feeding, 29–30, 31
fetch, 9
Field Champion, 38, 39, 44
finishing, 36
first aid, 31–34
46
frequent urination, 27
fun matches, 36, 38, 41
Futurity, 43
gait, 4, 37
grooming, 41
GROOMING, 24–25
hackles, 5
hair loss, 28
handling classes, 36, 38, 42
health, 25–29
Heartworm, 24
heat cycles, irregular, 28
heat stroke, 31
height, 2, 4
Hemolytic Anemia, 27, 29
Hepatitis, 23
house training, 11–14
housebreaking, 9
Hypothermia, 31
Hypothyroid, 28
immunizations, 23
Introduction to Basenji, 1–2
IPSID, 28
Junior Courser, 39
Junior Showmanship, 41, 42
kidney, 27, 30
LCM, 38
lead training, 9, 37
learning plateau, 14
Leptospirosis, 23
lethargy, 28
lure, 38, 43
Lure, 44
Lure coursing, 38–40
major wins, 36
male marking, 14
mental dullness, 28
muzzle, 4, 40, 43
muzzle correction, 7
neck, 4, 7
neck scruff correction, 6, 7
negative reinforcement, 7, 13
neutering, 34
obedience, 14–17, 40, 41
obesity, 28
Pancreatic Enzyme Deficiency, 28
Parainfluenza, 23
Parvovirus, 23
poisoning, 20, 30, 32–34
positive reinforcement, 7, 14, 40
PPM, 25, 26
PRA, 26
Rabies, 23, 24
rawhide, 30
registration, iv, 1
Senior Courser, 39
shedding, 24
show quality, 1, 36
show training, 38
socialization, 5–6, 8, 9, 38, 40
spaying, 34
specialty, 43
Specialty, 43
standard, 1
Standard, 1, 4, 43, 44
Stud Dog, 43, 44
substitution, 9
tail, 2, 4, 5, 10, 24, 36
Tapeworm, 24
temperament, 4
thirst, 27
thyroid, 28
toenails, 25
toilet, 29
topline, 4
toxic plants, 32
Umbilical Hernia, 28
vasectomy, 34
Veteran, 43
vitamins, 30
vomiting, 23, 28
wasting, 28
watch dog, 2
weaning, 9
weight, 2, 4, 30
weight gain, 34
weight loss, 24, 27, 28
Winners Bitch, 36
Winners Dog, 36
worming, iv, 24
worms, 24
wrinkles, 2, 4
yard, secure, 17–19
yodel, 2, 3
TEN COMMANDMENTS
FOR NEW BASENJI OWNERS
(and old ones too)
Thou shalt love, honor, and cherish thy Basenji
Thou shalt Appreciate thy Basenji for the native breed which he is, and respect him for the native instincts
he retains.
Thou shalt breed thy Basenji only with due consideration for the betterment of the breed, and not "just for
fun" or profit.
Thou shalt crate train thy Basenji and use his crate when necessary.
Thou shalt leash train thy Basenji and use his leash when necessary.
Thou shalt maintain a fenced yard or maintain a safe play/exercise area for thy Basenji.
Thou shalt socialize thy Basenji.
Thou shalt "let sleeping dogs lie" and "eating dogs eat"; and thou shalt educate thy children and guests to
do the same.
Thou shalt use thy laundry hamper, close thy closet doors, and hide thy wastebaskets.
AND FINALLY, Thou shalt keep thy sense of humor and enjoy the antics of thy Basenji
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